Here's why:
* Postmodernism emerged in the late 20th century: Dahl's most famous works were published in the 1960s and 70s, predating the full development of postmodernism.
* Postmodern literature often explores themes of fragmentation, uncertainty, and the breakdown of traditional narratives: While Dahl's stories often feature fantastical elements and subvert traditional expectations, they generally maintain a clear narrative structure and a sense of moral clarity.
* Postmodern literature often uses metafiction and self-reflexivity: While Dahl's works are playful and sometimes employ elements of satire, they rarely engage in the kind of self-aware commentary on the nature of storytelling that is characteristic of postmodern literature.
However, some critics argue that Dahl's work exhibits certain postmodern tendencies:
* Subversion of traditional genre conventions: Dahl's children's stories often subvert traditional fairy tale tropes, blurring the lines between good and evil and challenging conventional morality.
* Use of dark humor and satire: Dahl's works frequently use humor to address serious issues, often with a biting and cynical edge.
* Exploration of themes of power and control: Dahl's stories often feature themes of power imbalances, control, and the subversion of authority, which could be interpreted as a reflection of the anxieties and disillusionment of the late 20th century.
Ultimately, whether or not Dahl can be considered a postmodern writer is a matter of interpretation. While his work shares some characteristics with postmodern literature, it's more accurate to say that he was a master storyteller who incorporated elements of modernism, satire, and fantasy into his work, rather than a fully-fledged postmodern writer.