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 is too immature to 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? from http://www.studygs.net/fictiona.htm

The Reliable Narrator Can be trusted by the reader, although the reader may not agree with the narrator Is honest even if the telling of the story is offensive or unpleasant (unbiased or equally-weighted descriptions) Understands the plot Provides events that may actually happen for any particular occurrence Usually 3rd person…rarely 1st person

Reliable Narrator Objective narration: accurately observes and records reality of the story Shares values of the reader; creates trust with the reader Has a lot of knowledge about the events and characters of the story Examples: Capricorn Anderson of Schooled, Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games, John Grogan of Marley and Me, Katherine of Rules, Rose in Rain Reign

The Unreliable Narrator Cannot be trusted Misleads the readers Distorts the truth Makes the reader evaluate the story and read between the lines Speaks or behaves in a manner which is not consistent throughout the story Usually 1st person…rarely 3rd person

Unreliable Narrator Subjective Narration Not trustworthy or credible; might lie on purpose out of self-interest. Denies his/her role in events of the story.  Expresses ideas or values reader may find not agree with; lacks a “moral compass.” May be mentally unstable or have a mental disability. Tells events accurately but interprets them in a way that is at odds with the reader. Examples: the group in We Were Liars, Nick in Gone Girl, Rachel in Girl on a Train, Tom Sawyer and Huck in Huckleberry Finn, Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Perspective vs. Truth/Reality Perspective- a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view What is the difference between perspective and truth? Can someone’s perspective also be true?

Treachery of Images

Perspective of Truth and Reality The previous two images were painted by Rene Magritte in 1929. The captions read “This is not a pipe.” and “This is not an apple.” What does this mean? How can one’s perspective distort the truth of something? What are some situations where one’s perspective can affect what’s true or real? Why is it important to be able to look at someone’s truth or someone’s perspective, even if you don’t agree with it?