Download Narrator Reliability

Evaluating Narrator
Reliability/Credibility
Evaluating Narrator Reliability
• A narrator, especially a first person perspective, may
change the events when telling the story because:
• the narrator has misinterpreted what was seen or heard.
• the narrator wants the reader’s empathy.
• the narrator is untrustworthy.
• the narrator does not fully understand the events as they
are happening.
The Reader and the Narrator
• The reader enters a contract with the narrator when
reading the story.
• The narrator will tell me what I need to know.
• The reader will have a response to the narrator.
• Can be positive or negative
• The reader must decide if the narrator should be
trusted.
• Should everything be taken at face value?
Questions to Ask
• How much does the narrator know?
• Do events take place now or in the past?
• Is the narrator a participant in, or a witness to, the action?
• What is the motivation for telling the story?
• In a nutshell: Who are you and why are you telling me this?
The Reliable Narrator
• Can be trusted by the reader, even though the reader may
not agree with the narrator
• Is honest even if the telling of the story is offensive or
unpleasant
• Understands the plot
• Does not make assumptions or have feelings toward
anyone
• Usually 3rd person, rarely 1st person
The Unreliable Narrator
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Cannot be trusted
Misleads the readers
Distorts the truth
Makes assumptions and/or has feelings toward other
characters
• Speaks or behaves in a manner which is not
consistent throughout the story
• Usually 1st person, rarely 3rd person