Unreliable Characters

Definition

Unreliable characters are narrators or characters within a story whose credibility or truthfulness is questionable. They may intentionally deceive readers or be unaware of their own biases and limitations.

Related terms

Naive Narrator: A type of unreliable narrator who lacks understanding or awareness due to their age, innocence, or limited experience.

Manipulative Narrator: This type deliberately misleads readers by distorting events or manipulating their perception through lies or half-truths.

Memory Bias: Refers to the tendency for individuals (including characters) to remember events inaccurately based on personal biases, emotions, or external influences.