,=.

~ - +_,,,,
r +
I- Whatis~etafiction? Metafiction
•* .
*. '
• Metafiction: is a self-conscious literary style in which the narrator or
characters are aware that they are part of a work of fiction. Often most
closely associated with postmodern prose. Metafiction involves a
departure from standard narrative conventions.

❖ The concept of metafiction was first explored by

American novelist William H. Gass in his book Fiction
and the Figures of Life (1970) Metafiction, in his view, is
• a way of making readers aware that the experience they
are having is, in fact a constructed one.

~ Characteristics 0 f Metaficti 0 p :
r~
\ ~ Breaking the fourth 2-Self-reflexive: 3-Experimental:
,, wall:
Authors use self- Metafiction is often
Breaking reflexivity, or self- experimental in nature,
~ buundary between consciousness, to reflect fusing a number of
different techniques
~ writer and reader blurs on their own artistic
~ the lines between real processes. together to create an
unconventional
~ life and fiction.
narrative.
4-Creating characters:

~
Who are aware that they are in a story, comment on

r..~
their character types or on the tropes of the genre.

:#tr¢,
 What lS the Purp 0 Se 0 f Metaficti 0 11?
❖ Highlight the dichotomy between the
real world and the fictional world of a
novel.

❖ Metafiction used to parody literary

genre conventions.

❖ Thwart reader expectations.

❖ Reveal truths, or offer a view of the

human condition.

I-Explicit 2- DirecUindirect
Metafiction: Metafiction:

Explicit metafiction is Direct metafiction

identifiable through its use
of clear metafictional
elements on the surface of
a text
Critical metafiction aims
establishes a reference
find the artificiality or
within the text one is just
fictionality of a text in som
reading. Indirect metafiction
critical way. Non-critical
consists in metareferences
external to this text, such as metafiction does not criticize
reflections on other specific
literary works as in
parodies.
 ;-,,., ·-'II:,
rxainple of Metaficti 0 11;

Tristram Shandy by
Laurence Sterne :

Uncovers its own fictionality. By bringing

its own formal functions into absurd
prominence and focusing on the self-
conscious(self Reflexive) act of writing
• rather than on the thing being represented.

+
• Tyson, L. (2006). Critical theory today: the structure of narrative (narratology)

Gordon, P. (1984). Narratology: The Study of Story Structure.

Metafiction in Literature:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/metafiction-definition-examples.html

Metafiction Guide: Understanding Metafiction in Literature. Master Class Articles:

• https://www.masterclass.com/articles/metafiction-guide
j
marter. Metafiction: ""'--------"--------""=-- •