Lesson 17. The Unreliable Narrator│The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

Understanding the Unreliable Narrator

Introduction to the Concept

• The topic of unreliable narrators is often perceived as complex and mysterious among writers, with varying definitions from different individuals.

• Despite this perception, there exists substantial scholarship on unreliable narrators that can clarify the concept for those willing to explore it.

• A framework will be presented to demystify narrator reliability, suggesting that much confusion surrounding the topic is exaggerated.

Case Study: Humbert Humbert in "Lolita"

• The discussion begins with an analysis of Humbert Humbert from Nabokov's "Lolita," who exemplifies a highly unreliable narrator through his confessional style.

• Humbert’s narrative reveals shocking admissions, including child molestation and murder; however, his poetic language suggests more about justification than true confession.

• Despite being a sociopath and morally reprehensible character, readers may find themselves captivated by his eloquent prose.

Contrasting Unreliable Narrators

• Nabokov’s fictional professor describes Humbert as a mix of horror and charm, creating a moral dilemma for readers who feel sympathy for him despite his actions.

• The contrast between Humbert and Huck Finn highlights how different types of unreliable narrators can evoke empathy or critique societal issues like racism and slavery.

Framework for Analyzing Reliability

• James Phelan's method provides a structured approach to understanding narrator reliability by evaluating their roles in reporting, interpreting, and judging information.

• Phelan identifies two main ways narrators can fail: mis-reporting (providing false information), mis-reading (misinterpreting events), or under-reporting (withholding relevant details).

Application of Phelan's Model

Understanding Unreliable Narrators in Literature

Huck Finn's Reliability and Ethical Dilemmas

• Huck is portrayed as a reliable narrator, lacking motives to misreport or underreport events. His encounter with a feuding family reflects this reliability.

• Despite accurately reporting the family's conflict, Huck fails to grasp the deeper implications of the situation, indicating an under-reading of events.

• Huck grapples with the morality of aiding Jim's escape from slavery, recognizing it as illegal yet feeling compelled to help, showcasing his internal ethical struggle.

• While Huck understands he is doing "wrong" by societal standards, he cannot fully articulate the ethics involved, highlighting his complexity as a character.

• The discussion emphasizes that while Huck is trustworthy in some aspects, he remains unreliable in others due to his limited understanding.

Humbert Humbert: A Contrast in Unreliability

• Humbert presents a stark contrast to Huck; he admits to memory lapses and hints at his insanity, making him less trustworthy as a narrator.

• His sexual obsession clouds his interpretation of Dolores’s actions, complicating whether he misreads or misreports events entirely.

• Humbert's narrative serves both as self-justification for his actions and an attempt to sway potential judgment from readers or jurors.

• Despite showing awareness of his depravity, Humbert chooses to ignore moral truths, rendering him morally reprehensible and unreliable in recounting events.

The Spectrum of Unreliable Narrators

• The examples of Huck and Humbert illustrate the diverse ways narrators can be unreliable—each character embodies different forms of misunderstanding or misrepresentation.