Here's why:
* The Fourth Wall: In traditional theatre, the "fourth wall" is the imaginary boundary between the stage and the audience. Breaking the fourth wall means acknowledging the audience's presence and interacting with them directly.
* Postmodernism and Self-Awareness: Postmodernist literature often plays with conventions and challenges traditional forms. Breaking the fourth wall is a way to highlight the constructed nature of the narrative and make the reader aware of the story's artificiality.
* Inviting the Reader: Direct address can also be a way to invite the reader into a more active role in the story's interpretation. It can blur the lines between fiction and reality, making the reader question their own understanding of the text.
Examples:
* "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: While not strictly postmodern, Gatsby's famous line, "I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool," is a subtle example of breaking the fourth wall.
* "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut: Vonnegut frequently addresses the reader directly, making comments about the story, his writing process, and even the nature of war.
* "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood: The narrator, Offred, often speaks directly to the reader, evoking a sense of complicity and forcing them to consider their own role in the story's dystopian world.
By directly addressing the reader, postmodernist novels often aim to challenge traditional narrative structures, draw attention to the constructed nature of stories, and create a more interactive reading experience.