Unreliable Narrators by Jorge Issac Lastra Ramirez

Definition

lastrakoko — 2018-10-06 17:46:57 UTC

Any narrator that cannot be trusted to convey a story accurately.

Where it applies?

lastrakoko — 2018-10-06 18:08:02 UTC

This device is used in literature to force readers to question the narrator's truthfulness. In addition many authors use unreliable narrators to add a sense of realism to a character.

The cask of Amontillado

lastrakoko — 2018-10-06 18:09:11 UTC

A good example for the Written by Edgar Allan Poe, "The cask of Amontillado" is a story narrated by Montresor. The narrator, Montresor, tells the story of how he was wronged. Already, his view is tainted with prejudice as he expresses his desire to take revenge.

What happen with the reader?

lastrakoko — 2018-10-06 19:29:39 UTC

As the story progresses, the reader begins to distrust his account further as the symptoms of his psychological illness are revealed. So, the reader must contemplate the character's tale and make his or her own decisions about what to believe.

Another thing to take into account

lastrakoko — 2018-10-06 19:33:52 UTC

An unreliable narrator can also give a character an added sense of realism. Many authors realize that people do not always tell the truth.

Referring again to Poe's work

lastrakoko — 2018-10-06 19:35:33 UTC

If Poe had represented him as a true and reliable narrator despite his mental instability, the representation would not have been realistic.