Unreliable narrator facts for kids

An unreliable narrator is a storyteller in a book, movie, or play who cannot tell the story in a completely fair or truthful way. It means you can't always trust everything they say. This idea was first talked about in 1961 by a writer named Wayne C. Booth in his book The Rhetoric of Fiction.

What is an Unreliable Narrator?

An unreliable narrator is a character who tells the story, but their version might not be the full truth. They might misunderstand things, lie, or have a special way of seeing the world. This makes the reader or viewer wonder if they can really trust what they are being told.

Why Can't We Trust Them?

There are many reasons why a narrator might be unreliable:

• They might be too young to understand everything that's happening.
• They could be trying to trick the audience or other characters.
• They might have a mental health issue that changes how they see reality.
• They could be biased, meaning they strongly favor one side or idea.
• Sometimes, they simply forget details or mix things up.

How Do You Spot One?

It can be fun to figure out if a narrator is unreliable! Here are some clues to look for:

• Contradictions: Does the narrator say one thing, but then later say something different?
• Missing Information: Do they leave out important details, or do things not quite add up?
• Other Characters' Views: Do other characters in the story disagree with the narrator's version of events?
• Strange Behavior: Does the narrator act in ways that seem odd or unbelievable?
• Their Own Words: Sometimes, the narrator might even admit they are not telling the whole truth.

Famous Unreliable Narrators

Many popular stories use unreliable narrators to make them more interesting. For example, in some mystery stories, the person telling the tale might be the criminal! This keeps you guessing and makes you think carefully about every detail. It adds a fun puzzle for the audience to solve.

Images for kids

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  Illustration by Gustave Doré of Baron Munchausen's tale of being swallowed by a whale. Tall tales, such as those of the Baron, often feature unreliable narrators.

See also

In Spanish: Narrador sospechoso para niños