Unreliable narrator
Literary term · say it un-rih-LY-uh-bul nuh-RAY-ter
An unreliable narrator is a storyteller whose account cannot be fully trusted. The narrator may hide facts, misunderstand events, or judge people unfairly, leaving readers to notice gaps between the account and what seems to be happening.
Three ways an unreliable narrator can mislead
Hiding important facts
The narrator leaves out information that would change the reader's understanding. What is missing matters as much as what is told.
In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Dr Sheppard leaves crucial parts of his own conduct out of his account of the murder investigation.
In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Distorted perceptions
The narrator's fears or disturbed thoughts make their account doubtful. They may insist that they are sensible while describing experiences that suggest otherwise.
In The Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator insists on being sane but believes the murdered man's heart is beating beneath the floorboards while the police sit nearby.
In The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Mistaken judgments
The narrator may report events honestly but misunderstand their meaning. Readers can recognize kindness or cruelty that the narrator judges wrongly.
In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck believes that helping Jim escape slavery is sinful, even as his loyalty to Jim shows his growing compassion.
In Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
How to spot an unreliable narrator
- Compare the narrator's claims with the events they describe.
- Look for contradictions, missing facts, and doubtful explanations.
- Notice when other characters challenge the narrator's account.
Is an unreliable narrator always lying?
No, an unreliable narrator may be sincere but mistaken. Fear, prejudice, limited knowledge, or confusion can affect the account. Huck Finn, for example, often judges his own kindness harshly because he has absorbed the values of a society that accepts slavery.
What is the difference between an unreliable narrator and an unlikeable narrator?
An unreliable narrator gives reasons to doubt the account, while an unlikeable narrator simply has qualities readers dislike. A cruel or selfish storyteller can still report events accurately. A warm, appealing storyteller can misunderstand events or hide important facts.
Related terms
Books where you can see Unreliable narrator
200,000+ classics to read and hear, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
