Many writers aim to immerse us into stories and worlds so deeply that we momentarily forget we are reading a piece of fiction. However, some writers aim to do the exact opposite. They expose the narrative elements at play, bringing them to the forefront of our attention. What does a story have to gain by reminding the reader they are reading a fictional work? This is the power of metafiction.
What is Metafiction in Storytelling?
First, let’s define metafiction
Metafiction exists throughout literature, from ancient myths to contemporary novels. It blurs the lines between reality and fiction, challenging traditional storytelling conventions and inviting readers to engage with the creative process.
METAFICTION DEFINITION
What is metafiction?
Metafiction is a form of fiction that self-consciously addresses the devices of fiction, often blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.
The term "metafiction" combines "meta," meaning beyond or about, with "fiction," indicating that it goes beyond traditional storytelling methods to comment on itself as a narrative. Originating from postmodernist literary theory, the concept explores how stories are constructed and invites readers to think critically about the nature of narrative as well as the role of the author and reader.
Authors employ narrative techniques such as breaking the fourth wall, self-referential commentary, and non-linear plot structures to create metafiction. These techniques disrupt the conventional illusion of reality created in traditional fiction, prompting readers to question the relationship between fiction and reality.
Characteristics of Metafiction:
- Self-Referentiality
- Disruption of Narrative Illusion
- Intertextuality
Purpose of Metafictional Work
What is Metafiction Used For?
Metafiction is a technique. Like any literary technique and stylistic device, it can be used for various reasons depending on the author's aims. By blurring the line between fiction and reality, metafiction can challenge traditional views on storytelling and the role of the author. It also allows for a deeper exploration of truth, perception, and the nature of reality.
Primarily, metafiction aims to explore and expose the nature of storytelling itself. By intentionally exposing the artificiality of narratives, metafiction encourages readers to become aware of the underlying mechanisms of fiction.
Understanding Metafiction
This acute awareness can lead to a deeper understanding of what the author is exploring whether it is social commentary, the human condition, or other themes entirely.
As a tool for critical commentary, authors use it to critique societal norms, literary conventions, and the function and impact of art itself.
Metafiction Characteristics
Characteristics of Metafiction
Metafictional stories cover a vast range of styles and techniques, making it difficult to define specific characteristics. However, most metafictional works share a few common characteristics.
Self-Referentiality
Metafiction often includes moments where the text acknowledges its own fictional nature. This can involve characters who are aware they are part of a story or narration that directly addresses the reader. Such self-referential elements challenge the traditional suspension of disbelief.
Disruption of Narrative Illusion
Metafictional narratives disrupt the seamless reality typically created in fiction by breaking the fourth wall or using unconventional plot structures and timelines. This disruption forces readers to remain conscious of the narrative's artifice.
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Intertextuality
Metafiction frequently references other literary works within its narrative. These intertextual connections can take the form of pastiche, parody, or direct quotation, creating literary allusions that encourage readers to engage with the broader literary context.
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Metafiction Examples
Examples of Metafiction
Throughout mediums, metafiction has been used to create a layered and self-aware narrative experience. From literature to films to video games, countless examples showcase the impact of the technique on viewers and audiences.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Considered one of the earliest examples of metafiction, Don Quixote tells the story of a man who becomes so enamored with chivalric romances that he sets out to become a knight-errant himself.
Throughout the novel, Cervantes includes numerous metafictional techniques, such as characters discussing the book they are in and the inclusion of a fictional version of the author. These elements highlight the blurred lines between reality and fiction, making Don Quixote a foundational text in the metafiction genre.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
In Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut blends science fiction with autobiography, creating a narrative that is at once fantastical and deeply personal. The protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, becomes "unstuck in time," experiencing moments from his life out of chronological order.
Vonnegut's presence as a character in the novel and the nonlinear structure underscores the metafictional nature of the work. Slaughterhouse-Five challenges readers to consider how personal and historical narratives are constructed and remembered.
Adaptation by Spike Jonze
In cinema, Adaptation, by director Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, serves as a compelling example of metafiction. The film follows a screenwriter named Charlie Kaufman (played by Nicolas Cage) as he struggles to adapt a non-fiction book into a screenplay.
Adaptation • Robert Mckee vs Charlie Kaufman
The metafictional narrative weaves together the real-life challenges of screenwriting with a fictionalized version of Kaufman's experiences, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The film's self-referential nature and exploration of the creative process exemplify many of the key characteristics of metafiction.
Metafictional works offer a unique and thought-provoking experience. The technique has proved to be enduring and versatile, engaging readers and viewers to think critically about the stories they consume and the world around them.
Up Next
What is the Fourth Wall?
Breaking the fourth wall is common in metafictional works. It’s a way for characters or the author to direct the audience or reader directly. Read our next post to learn more about the impact of breaking the fourth wall as well as some of the best examples of it in film.
