Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
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.