Unit 7: Short Fiction III – Nuance and Complication in Narrative Strategy

Unreliable Narrator

A storyteller whose credibility is compromised, providing a distorted view of events.

The Naïf

An unreliable narrator whose limited experience leads to misunderstanding the significance of events.

The Madman

An unreliable narrator whose mental instability distorts reality, possibly hallucinating or exhibiting paranoia.

The Liar

An unreliable narrator who deceives the reader to hide truths or manipulate perceptions.

Dramatic Irony

Occurs when there is a gap between what a narrator perceives and what the reader understands.

Interior Monologue

A representation of a character's internal thoughts, resembling a coherent silent speech.

Stream of Consciousness

A narrative mode that replicates the chaotic flow of thoughts, including sensory impressions and incomplete thoughts.

Associative Leaps

Transitions between thoughts based on sensory triggers rather than logical progression.

Fragmented Syntax

A writing style characterized by run-on sentences and lack of punctuation often found in stream of consciousness.

Sensory Overload

Technique blending external stimuli with internal memories in a narrative.

In Media Res

A narrative technique that begins in the midst of action to create immediate tension.

Flashback (Analepsis)

Interrupting present action to present past events, affecting understanding of the current conflict.

Frame Narrative

A story within a story, often involving an introductory narrator setting the scene.

Distance (in Frame Narrative)

Creates emotional separation between the reader and the main events.

Reliability Check

The outer narrator in a frame narrative can cast doubt on the inner narrator's story.

Context (in Frame Narrative)

The specific setting influencing the meaning of the tale, such as the surroundings in which it is told.

Epistolary Format

Stories told through letters, diary entries, or emails creating immediacy and intimacy.

Psychological Realism

A narrative style that deeply explores the complexities of characters' minds and motivations.

Narrative Voice

The style and perspective from which a story is narrated, shaping the reader's understanding.

Character Development

The method by which authors craft characters' growth and personalities throughout the narrative.

Theme

The underlying message or central idea explored in a literary work.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal sense.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about what will happen later in the story, building anticipation.

Irony

A contrast between expectations and reality, often leading to a surprising outcome.

Allegory

A narrative that uses symbolic figures, actions, or events to convey deeper meanings.

Conflict

The central struggle between opposing forces that drives the narrative.