Here's a breakdown:
* Metafiction is a literary device where the narrative self-consciously acknowledges its status as a work of fiction. It breaks the fourth wall, directly addressing the reader or commenting on the writing process itself.
* Examples: A character in a novel might comment on the fact that they are a character in a novel, or the author might directly address the reader.
* Purpose: Metafiction aims to challenge the reader's assumptions about fiction, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. It often explores themes of identity, reality, and the nature of storytelling itself.
Here are some sub-genres of metafiction:
* Self-reflexive fiction: This type of metafiction focuses on the act of writing itself. It might explore the author's creative process, the difficulties of storytelling, or the relationship between the author and the reader.
* Parodic fiction: This genre often mocks literary conventions or uses humor to subvert the expectations of the reader.
* Fabulation: This type of metafiction blends fictional elements with real-life events, creating a complex and often ambiguous narrative.
Metafiction can be found in many different forms of literature, including novels, short stories, plays, and even films. If you're looking for some examples, here are a few popular titles:
* "The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton
* "The Crying of Lot 49" by Thomas Pynchon
* "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
* "The French Lieutenant's Woman" by John Fowles
* "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov
* "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk
By acknowledging its own artificiality, metafiction invites the reader to engage with the text on a deeper level and question the nature of storytelling itself.