Here's how it works:
* The narrator is a character within the story, not a detached observer. This character has their own biases, motivations, and limitations.
* The narrator's account of events might be inaccurate, incomplete, or even intentionally misleading. This creates a sense of mystery and encourages the reader to question what they are being told.
Examples of unreliable narrators:
* Huckleberry Finn in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain: Huck is a young boy with limited understanding of the world and often misinterprets events.
* The narrator in "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe: This narrator is clearly mentally unstable and unreliable, providing a distorted and disturbing perspective on the events.
* The narrator in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Nick Carraway, though seemingly objective, is drawn into Gatsby's world and ultimately reveals his own flawed perspective.
Why use unreliable narration?
* To create suspense and mystery: By making the reader question the narrator's reliability, the author keeps the reader engaged and guessing.
* To explore complex characters: Unreliable narrators can be fascinating and multifaceted, revealing their own flaws, desires, and hidden agendas.
* To offer multiple perspectives: An unreliable narrator can provide a unique and often unsettling glimpse into the truth, contrasting their version of events with what the reader might infer.
In short, an unreliable narrator is one who cannot be fully trusted. They might be biased, mistaken, or even intentionally lying, forcing the reader to actively engage with the story and determine the truth.