Metafiction

Definition

Metafiction is a form of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality. This technique allows authors to reflect on the nature of storytelling itself, creating a layered narrative that invites readers to consider the artifice behind the text. By doing so, metafiction can serve as a tool for social critique or psychological exploration, enriching the reading experience and prompting deeper engagement with the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Machado de Assis frequently employed metafictional techniques in his works, using unreliable narrators and shifting perspectives to challenge readers' perceptions of reality.
2. His novel 'Dom Casmurro' exemplifies metafiction by engaging with themes of memory and subjective truth, prompting readers to question the reliability of its protagonist's narrative.
3. Metafiction can highlight social issues by exposing the constructed nature of narratives, encouraging readers to reflect critically on societal norms and values.
4. In the context of 20th-century literature, metafiction influenced writers who sought to break away from traditional storytelling conventions, encouraging experimentation with form and structure.
5. The legacy of metafiction extends into contemporary literature, where authors continue to use self-referential techniques to explore identity, culture, and the nature of reality.

Review Questions

• How does Machado de Assis use metafictional elements to enhance social critique in his works?
  • Machado de Assis employs metafictional elements by allowing characters to reflect on their own narratives and challenge readers' assumptions about truth. For instance, in 'Dom Casmurro,' the protagonist's unreliable storytelling reveals societal biases and personal insecurities. This self-awareness invites readers to question not only the story being told but also the broader social constructs influencing it.
• What role does metafiction play in shaping the legacy of 20th-century literature as seen through Machado's influence?
  • Metafiction plays a significant role in shaping the legacy of 20th-century literature by encouraging authors to experiment with narrative form and structure. Machado's innovative use of self-referential techniques paved the way for later writers to break free from traditional storytelling norms. This shift allowed literature to become more introspective and critical, creating a space where authors could explore complex themes such as identity and reality.
• Evaluate how metafiction serves as a tool for psychological depth in literature, particularly in the works influenced by Machado de Assis.
  • Metafiction serves as a powerful tool for psychological depth by inviting readers to engage with characters’ inner thoughts and motivations while simultaneously questioning their reliability. In works influenced by Machado, such as those from postmodern authors, this technique deepens character development and enhances emotional resonance. By intertwining self-awareness with character psychology, these narratives encourage readers to reflect on their own understanding of truth and reality, ultimately enriching their literary experience.

Related terms

narrative frame: A structure that provides a context for the main story, often involving a secondary story that encapsulates or comments on the primary narrative.

intertextuality: The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other, emphasizing that no work exists in isolation.

postmodernism:

A broad movement in literature characterized by a general suspicion of grand narratives and an embrace of irony, playfulness, and self-referentiality.