What is an Unreliable Narrator?

An unreliable narrator is a storyteller whose version of events cannot be completely trusted. Unlike a straightforward narrator who delivers a clear and objective account, an unreliable narrator distorts the truth—whether intentionally or unintentionally. This technique challenges readers to question the narrative, dig deeper for hidden meanings, and even uncover the true story for themselves.

Authors use unreliable narrators to create intrigue and ambiguity. Instead of passively accepting the narrator’s version, readers must critically analyze what they’re told. But what makes a narrator unreliable? Often, it comes down to their perspective, motivations, or mental state.

Why Are Some Narrators Unreliable?

The reasons for a narrator’s unreliability vary, but they typically fall into three main categories:

• Mental Instability: A narrator with a troubled or unbalanced mind may perceive events in ways that are distorted or disconnected from reality. This could result from paranoia, delusions, or emotional turmoil.
• Deception: Some narrators lie deliberately. They may try to manipulate the audience, hide the truth, or present themselves in a better light.
• Ignorance or Naïveté: Not all unreliable narrators are dishonest or mentally unstable. Some may simply lack the knowledge, experience, or maturity to understand the events they are describing.

By identifying why a narrator is unreliable, readers can begin to uncover the deeper truths hidden within the story.

How Do Authors Use Unreliable Narrators?

Unreliable narrators are powerful tools for storytelling. They allow authors to explore complex themes like deception, memory, and the nature of truth. Readers are often drawn into a game of deciphering the "real" story behind the narrator's words. This technique can also reflect how people experience the world differently due to personal biases or circumstances.

In many cases, unreliable narrators add suspense and tension to a story. Readers are kept guessing: What is real, and what is exaggerated, omitted, or outright fabricated? This kind of uncertainty engages readers on a deeper level, requiring them to read critically and pay attention to subtle clues.

Examples of Unreliable Narrators

• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye
  

  J.D. Salinger’s iconic protagonist Holden Caulfield is a classic example of an unreliable narrator. Holden tells his story in a casual, conversational tone, but he quickly reveals his tendency to lie. He frequently contradicts himself, labels people as “phony” while exhibiting hypocritical behavior, and omits key details about his own actions.

  Holden’s unreliability stems from his emotional instability. He is grieving the death of his younger brother and feels disconnected from the world around him. As a result, his perspective is clouded by his cynicism and inner turmoil. Readers must carefully analyze Holden’s words and behavior to uncover the truths he struggles to face.

• The Narrator from The Tell-Tale Heart
  

  In Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart, the unnamed narrator insists they are perfectly sane—while describing a horrifying murder they committed. The narrator’s erratic tone, obsession with the old man’s "vulture eye," and eventual hallucination of a beating heart reveal their mental instability.

  Poe uses this unreliable narrator to explore themes of guilt and madness. Readers are forced to question the narrator’s version of events. Did the murder happen as described? Or is it all a product of the narrator’s delusions? This ambiguity draws readers into the psychological horror of the story.

• Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby
  

  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby provides another nuanced example of an unreliable narrator. Nick Carraway, the story’s narrator, claims to be an impartial observer. However, his personal biases and selective storytelling reveal that he is far from objective.

  Nick admires Jay Gatsby and subtly judges other characters, such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan. His reliability is further called into question by his own actions, which occasionally contradict his self-proclaimed honesty. Fitzgerald uses Nick’s unreliability to highlight themes of morality, perception, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

Real-Life Connections

The concept of unreliable narrators isn’t limited to literature. In everyday life, we often encounter narratives that reflect bias, incomplete information, or intentional deception. Think about news reports, social media posts, or even personal anecdotes. People’s perspectives shape the way they tell stories, and it’s not uncommon for them to exaggerate, leave out details, or interpret events differently based on their experiences.

By recognizing unreliable narrators in literature, students develop critical thinking skills that apply to real-world situations. Learning to question what you’re told, consider alternative viewpoints, and look for evidence are essential skills for navigating both fiction and reality.

Key Concepts to Remember

• Unreliable Narrator: A narrator who cannot be trusted to provide a completely accurate or objective account of the story.
• Bias: The personal opinions or perspectives that shape how a narrator describes events.
• Perspective: The point of view from which a story is told, influencing the way information is presented.
• Deception: When a narrator intentionally lies or distorts the truth for personal reasons.
• Mental Instability: A psychological condition that affects a narrator’s ability to perceive and describe reality accurately.

Why Study Unreliable Narrators?

Unreliable narrators make stories more engaging and thought-provoking. They encourage readers to look beyond the surface and analyze the deeper meaning of a text. By questioning the narrator’s perspective, readers learn to think critically, identify biases, and uncover the hidden truths within a story.

Whether in literature or real life, understanding unreliable narrators is a valuable skill. It teaches us to approach narratives with curiosity and skepticism, ensuring that we never take any story at face value.

What Is Narrative Perspective?

Every story is shaped by its perspective—the lens through which the events are told. Known as narrative perspective, this choice determines what readers know, how they feel about the story, and how they interpret its meaning. Authors use perspectives like first-person, third-person limited, and omniscient to control the flow of information and the emotional connection readers feel with characters and events.

By choosing a specific perspective, authors shape the story’s tone (the author’s attitude toward the subject) and mood (the emotional atmosphere experienced by the reader). Perspective also highlights themes, deepening a story’s impact and encouraging readers to think critically.

Types of Narrative Perspective

To better understand how perspective shapes stories, let’s explore three common types:

• First-Person Perspective
  

  The narrator tells the story using “I” or “we,” providing direct insight into their thoughts and feelings. This perspective creates intimacy, making readers feel as though they are inside the narrator’s mind.

  Example: In Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Pi Patel recounts his survival story from a first-person perspective. His vivid descriptions of being stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker immerse readers in his experience. However, Pi’s limited perspective raises questions about his reliability, especially when his story challenges the boundaries between reality and imagination.

• Third-Person Limited Perspective
  

  The narrator uses “he,” “she,” or “they” and focuses on the thoughts and feelings of one character at a time. This perspective balances intimacy with a slightly broader view, allowing readers to connect with a character while still maintaining some narrative distance.

  Example: In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, the story is told from a third-person limited perspective, centering on Harry’s thoughts and experiences. This allows readers to see the magical world as Harry discovers it, creating a sense of wonder and connection to his journey.

• Omniscient Perspective
  

  The narrator knows everything about all characters and events, providing a “godlike” view of the story. This perspective allows the author to present multiple viewpoints, offering rich insights into the plot and characters.

  Example: In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the omniscient narrator provides detailed commentary on Elizabeth Bennet’s life and other characters’ motives, revealing the nuances of social relationships and themes of class and marriage.

How Perspective Shapes Tone and Meaning

Narrative perspective doesn’t just determine who tells the story; it also affects the tone and meaning.

• Tone:

  A first-person narrator often creates an emotional tone, allowing readers to feel the narrator’s joys, fears, or frustrations. Third-person limited can create suspense by keeping readers focused on one character’s experiences, while an omniscient narrator often adopts a reflective or neutral tone.

• Meaning:

  Perspective can shape a story’s themes by revealing or concealing key details. For example, in Life of Pi, Pi’s first-person account makes readers question whether the tiger is real or a symbol of his struggle for survival. The ambiguity reflects themes of belief and truth, which are central to the novel’s meaning.

Examples of Perspective in Action

• First-Person Perspective in Life of Pi
  

  Yann Martel’s Life of Pi demonstrates how first-person narration creates an emotional and philosophical tone. Pi Patel’s vivid storytelling brings his survival journey to life, describing the physical challenges and spiritual questions he faces. However, his perspective is limited to his own experience, leaving readers to decide whether his story is factual or symbolic. By framing the narrative this way, Martel engages readers with themes of faith, storytelling, and the search for meaning. The first-person perspective encourages readers to empathize with Pi while questioning the nature of truth.

• Dual Perspectives in Gone Girl
  

  Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl alternates between two perspectives: Nick Dunne and his wife, Amy. While Nick’s chapters use first-person narration to portray him as a confused husband, Amy’s diary entries provide a seemingly heartfelt account of their marriage.

  The contrast between these perspectives challenges readers to question both characters’ reliability. As the story unfolds, readers discover that neither account is fully truthful. Flynn uses this dual-perspective structure to explore themes of manipulation, perception, and the instability of trust. The shifting viewpoints keep readers engaged, forcing them to reassess their assumptions.

Perspective Beyond Unreliability

While unreliable narrators like those in Life of Pi or Gone Girl are fascinating, not all perspectives aim to distort the truth. Sometimes, perspective is used to emphasize connection or highlight themes through a trustworthy lens.

For instance, in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout Finch narrates the story from her childhood perspective. Her youthful innocence highlights the injustices of racism and prejudice in her community. Although Scout’s perspective is limited by her age, it offers a clear and powerful moral lens, encouraging readers to see the events through the eyes of a child.

Similarly, omniscient narrators, such as the one in Pride and Prejudice, provide balance and insight, revealing characters’ flaws and virtues without bias. These perspectives emphasize the interconnectedness of the characters’ lives, creating a rich tapestry of meaning.

Engaging the Reader Through Perspective

Authors use perspective to immerse readers in the story, build emotional connections, and challenge their perceptions. By aligning readers with a specific viewpoint, perspective influences not only how the story unfolds but also how readers interpret its themes and conflicts.

• Creating Connection:

  First-person and third-person limited perspectives allow readers to experience the story through the lens of a specific character. This intimacy fosters empathy and understanding.

• Building Suspense:

  Limited perspectives can withhold information, keeping readers guessing about the truth. For example, in Gone Girl, the dual perspectives create suspense by revealing characters’ secrets over time.

• Challenging Assumptions:

  Shifting or unreliable perspectives encourage readers to think critically about what they’re reading. In Life of Pi, the ambiguity of Pi’s narrative invites readers to question the nature of storytelling itself.

Connections to Real Life

The concept of perspective isn’t limited to literature. In real life, the way people describe events is shaped by their own experiences, emotions, and biases. Two people may recall the same event very differently, each believing their version is true.

Perspective also plays a role in media, where headlines and framing can shape how people interpret stories. For example, a news article might focus on one aspect of a situation while downplaying others, influencing the audience’s perception. Recognizing how perspective shapes storytelling helps us navigate these narratives critically and thoughtfully.

Key Concepts to Remember

• Narrative Perspective: The point of view from which a story is told, shaping tone and meaning.
• First-Person Perspective: A personal view using “I” or “we,” often creating intimacy.
• Third-Person Limited Perspective: Focuses on one character’s thoughts and experiences, balancing intimacy with distance.
• Omniscient Perspective: Offers an all-knowing view of characters and events.
• Tone: The narrator’s attitude, influenced by perspective.

Why Study Perspective?

Understanding perspective allows readers to see how stories are constructed and how authors use narrators to influence meaning. By analyzing narrative perspective, students develop critical thinking skills and learn to question how stories shape their understanding of the world.

In literature and in life, perspective teaches us to look beyond the surface, consider alternative viewpoints, and think deeply about the truths we encounter.

What Is an Unreliable Narrator?

In literature, the narrator acts as a bridge between the story and the reader. But what happens when the narrator’s account can’t be fully trusted? This is where the unreliable narrator comes into play. Unlike narrators who provide clear and accurate accounts of events, unreliable narrators present stories that are filtered through their own biases, misunderstandings, or even intentional deceit.

This narrative technique creates a unique reading experience. By distorting the truth or withholding details, unreliable narrators force readers to question what they’re told, actively engage with the story, and decide for themselves what is real. These narrators also mirror the complexity of real life, where personal perspectives often shape how events are perceived and retold.

How Narrators Shape Stories

An unreliable narrator affects not only how the story unfolds but also how readers interpret its themes and characters. There are three common reasons narrators become unreliable:

• Bias: A narrator’s emotions, prejudices, or relationships influence their interpretation of events, often skewing the truth to align with their personal perspective.
• Deception: Some narrators intentionally mislead readers, either to protect themselves or to manipulate how they are perceived.
• Ignorance or Insecurity: In some cases, narrators lack the knowledge, confidence, or maturity to fully understand the events they describe.

Let’s explore how these qualities shape two classic examples: the narrator of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper and the narrator of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.

The Narrator of The Yellow Wallpaper

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper tells the story of a woman confined to a room by her husband, supposedly for rest therapy, to recover from what he perceives as a temporary nervous condition. Told through her first-person perspective, the narrator becomes increasingly unreliable as her mental state deteriorates.

• Mental Instability and Subjectivity
  

  At first, the narrator seems rational, though frustrated by her husband’s controlling behavior. However, as the story progresses, her mental instability becomes evident. She begins to see disturbing patterns in the wallpaper of her room, which she believes conceal a trapped woman. This hallucination blurs the line between reality and imagination, forcing readers to question her version of events.

  Her unreliability highlights themes of isolation, gender roles, and the consequences of dismissing women’s autonomy. By limiting the story to the narrator’s perspective, Gilman immerses readers in her disjointed thoughts and emotions, creating a powerful psychological portrait.

• Reader Interpretation
  

  The narrator’s distorted perspective keeps readers guessing about the true nature of her surroundings. Is the room truly oppressive, or is her perception colored by her mental state? By withholding an objective view, the story draws readers into the narrator’s confusion, emphasizing her sense of entrapment.

The Narrator of Rebecca

Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca offers another compelling example of narrative unreliability. The story is told by the unnamed second wife of Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower whose first wife, Rebecca, looms large over their lives.

• Insecurity and Misinterpretation
  

  The narrator is young, inexperienced, and deeply insecure. She idolizes Rebecca, imagining her as a glamorous and beloved figure whose memory she cannot live up to. This insecurity skews her understanding of the people and events around her. For example, she assumes that Maxim is still in love with Rebecca and that the household staff resents her presence, even though this is not entirely true.

  Because the narrator filters the story through her feelings of inadequacy, she often misinterprets key moments. Her lack of confidence blinds her to Maxim’s darker secrets, which remain hidden until much later in the story.

• Omissions and Suspense
  

  The narrator’s limited understanding creates suspense. She withholds critical information, not because she is deceptive but because she simply doesn’t see the whole picture. For instance, her failure to recognize Rebecca’s manipulative and cruel nature leaves readers in the dark until the story’s climax.

  This lack of clarity draws readers into the narrator’s psychological state, making them feel her confusion and vulnerability. By the time the truth is revealed, the impact is far greater because readers have experienced the narrator’s flawed perspective firsthand.

How Unreliable Narrators Shape Reader Interpretation

• Controlling the Flow of Information
  

  In both The Yellow Wallpaper and Rebecca, unreliable narrators carefully control what readers know. The narrator of The Yellow Wallpaper filters events through her deteriorating mental state, while the narrator of Rebecca filters them through her insecurities. This creates suspense and forces readers to question the truth behind the narrators’ accounts.

• Engaging the Reader
  

  Unreliable narrators turn readers into active participants. Rather than passively accepting the story, readers must analyze the text, piece together clues, and form their own conclusions. This interactive experience adds depth and complexity to the reading process.

  For example, in The Yellow Wallpaper, readers must decide whether the narrator’s visions of the trapped woman reflect her mental state or a symbolic critique of her situation. In Rebecca, readers must sift through the narrator’s misconceptions to uncover the true dynamics of Rebecca’s marriage to Maxim.

• Exploring Themes
  

  The use of unreliable narrators highlights themes like the subjectivity of truth and the complexity of human relationships. In The Yellow Wallpaper, the narrator’s descent into madness explores the consequences of isolation and repression. In Rebecca, the narrator’s distorted perception of Rebecca emphasizes themes of jealousy, identity, and the power of appearances.

Unreliable Narrators and the Art of Deception

Why do authors create narrators we can’t fully trust? Unreliable narrators reflect the complexity of human experience. Just as people in real life are shaped by their biases and limitations, literary narrators bring these imperfections to the stories they tell.

This technique also mirrors the way storytelling works in everyday life. Whether through news, social media, or personal anecdotes, the way a story is told often depends on the teller’s perspective. By recognizing unreliable narrators, readers develop the critical thinking skills needed to question and analyze the narratives they encounter in both fiction and reality.

Deception in Literature and Beyond

Unreliable narrators like the ones in The Yellow Wallpaper and Rebecca remind us that truth is rarely simple. By distorting the facts or limiting what readers know, these narrators challenge us to look beyond the surface and seek deeper meanings. They also reveal the power of storytelling to shape how we see the world—not just in literature, but in our daily lives.

Through their biases, secrets, and vulnerabilities, these narrators transform the act of reading into a rich and thought-provoking journey. By analyzing their perspectives, readers uncover not only the truth within the story but also the truths about perception, memory, and human nature itself.

What Is an Unreliable Narrator?

Have you ever listened to a story that seemed a little too dramatic or inconsistent to be true? Perhaps the storyteller left out key details or exaggerated events to make themselves look better. In literature, this kind of storyteller is called an unreliable narrator—a narrator whose version of events cannot be completely trusted.

Unreliable narration is a literary technique that keeps readers on their toes. It forces them to think critically, analyze clues, and decide for themselves what is real. While unreliable narrators can add mystery and suspense to a story, they also challenge us to look deeper, uncover hidden truths, and question the motivations of the storyteller.

How Do You Spot an Unreliable Narrator?

Identifying unreliable narrators can be tricky, especially when the story is told from their perspective. However, there are several key clues to watch for:

• Contradictions in the Story: Does the narrator’s version of events change over time? Do their actions contradict their words? Inconsistent details can signal that the narrator is unreliable.
• Exaggerated Emotions: If the narrator seems overly dramatic or emotional, their perception of events may be skewed. Extreme fear, anger, or joy can cloud their judgment and lead to misinterpretations.
• Gaps in Logic: Unreliable narrators often leave out important details or fail to explain their reasoning. If the story doesn’t add up, readers should question why.
• Other Characters’ Reactions: How do other characters respond to the narrator? If their words or actions suggest disbelief, suspicion, or frustration, the narrator may not be telling the full truth.
• Too Good to Be True: Does the narrator portray themselves as the hero or victim while making others look bad? Their version of events might be biased or self-serving.

Interactive Examples

Let’s look at some examples of unreliable narration. Read each passage below and try to spot the clues that suggest the narrator might not be telling the whole truth.

• Example 1: A Suspicious Contradiction
  

  “I told her I didn’t care one bit about what she said. But later, when she didn’t call me back, I couldn’t sleep all night. I was fine, really. Just curious. That’s all.”

  Clues: The narrator claims they don’t care, but their sleeplessness suggests otherwise. This contradiction hints that they might be hiding their true feelings from the reader—or even from themselves.

• Example 2: Exaggeration or Bias
  

  “Everyone at the party was staring at me. I could feel their judgment like a weight on my shoulders. They whispered about me, laughed at me, even though I didn’t do anything wrong. I could tell they all hated me.”

  Clues: The narrator assumes they know what everyone is thinking, which is unlikely. Their exaggerated description suggests insecurity or paranoia, making their account unreliable.

• Example 3: Missing Details
  

  “I came home, and the vase was broken on the floor. I had no idea how it happened. But my roommate looked guilty—obviously, they did it.”

  Clues: The narrator jumps to conclusions without evidence. Their omission of key details (e.g., what else they observed) leaves readers questioning their reasoning.

Why Do Authors Use Unreliable Narrators?

Unreliable narrators make stories more engaging and thought-provoking. By creating doubt about the narrator’s account, authors:

• Add Suspense: Readers are kept guessing about what really happened.
• Encourage Critical Thinking: Readers must analyze the text carefully, searching for clues to uncover the truth.
• Explore Themes: Unreliable narrators often highlight themes like the subjectivity of truth, the nature of memory, and the complexity of human relationships.

Activity: Decoding Unreliable Narration

Now it’s your turn! Below is a short passage. As you read, try to identify clues that suggest the narrator might be unreliable.

The Passage:

“I don’t know why my boss is so mad at me. Sure, I missed a few deadlines, but it wasn’t my fault. The clients are always unclear, and my coworkers never help. I’m the one keeping this whole team afloat, but no one appreciates me. They’re probably jealous of my work ethic and creativity.”

Questions to Consider:

• Does the narrator take responsibility for their actions, or do they blame others?
• Are their statements consistent, or do they contradict themselves?
• Is their perception of themselves and others realistic, or is it biased?

Possible Answer: The narrator shifts blame onto others (clients, coworkers) and portrays themselves as a victim. Their claim of being the team’s savior seems exaggerated and self-serving. These clues suggest the narrator might not be telling the full story.

How to Analyze Unreliable Narration

When encountering an unreliable narrator, use these steps to evaluate their credibility:

• Pay Attention to Details: Look for inconsistencies, exaggerations, and omissions in the narrator’s account.
• Consider the Context: What do you know about the narrator’s background, motivations, and relationships? Could these factors influence how they tell the story?
• Compare Perspectives: If the story includes multiple narrators or viewpoints, compare their accounts. Differences in perspective can reveal who is unreliable and why.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels “off” about the narrator’s story, it’s worth digging deeper. Authors often leave subtle hints for readers to uncover.

Examples of Famous Unreliable Narrators

• The Narrator of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
  

  In this classic story, the narrator insists they are sane while describing their obsessive behavior and eventual murder of an old man. Their paranoia and delusions make it clear that their version of events cannot be trusted.

• Briony Tallis in Atonement by Ian McEwan
  

  Briony, a young girl, misinterprets a series of events and accuses an innocent man of a crime. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that her version of events was biased by her youthful ignorance and jealousy.

• Pat Peoples in The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
  

  Pat, recovering from a mental health crisis, narrates his story with optimism and determination. However, his gaps in memory and distorted understanding of relationships make him an unreliable guide to his own life.

Why Study Unreliable Narrators?

Unreliable narrators teach us to read critically, question assumptions, and search for deeper truths. They remind us that stories—and the way they are told—are shaped by perspective. By recognizing unreliable narration, we become more thoughtful readers and thinkers, better equipped to navigate the complexities of both fiction and reality.

Unreliable narration challenges us to see beyond the surface and uncover the truth lurking beneath. Whether it’s a story filled with contradictions, exaggerated emotions, or missing details, decoding unreliable narrators is a skill that sharpens our minds and deepens our appreciation of literature.

Objective:

Students will deepen their understanding of unreliable narrators and narrative perspectives by crafting their own stories and analyzing the effects of their narrative choices.

Steps:

1. Understanding Narratives:

   Students will review resources on unreliable narrators and narrative perspectives to identify common traits like contradictions, exaggerated emotions, or missing details.

2. Story Crafting:

   Each student or small group will brainstorm and draft a short story featuring an unreliable narrator, integrating literary clues to subtly reveal their unreliability.

3. Teacher Review:

   Students will submit a draft of their story to the teacher for feedback, focusing on the integration of narrative techniques and the effectiveness of the unreliable narrator.

4. Peer Analysis:

   Students will exchange revised drafts with peers, who will analyze the stories to identify clues about the narrator’s unreliability and discuss how perspective shapes the plot and themes.

5. Class Discussion & Reflection:

   Students will share their findings, reflect on their creative process, and discuss how unreliable narration influences reader interpretation and mirrors real-world storytelling.

Materials Needed:

• Writing materials (notebooks, computers)
• Access to readings and videos on unreliable narrators and narrative perspectives
• Peer feedback forms with guiding questions (e.g., "What clues suggest the narrator is unreliable?")

Objective:

Students will critically analyze unreliable narration in classic literature and modern media, identifying patterns, techniques, and their impact on storytelling.

Steps:

1. Introduction to Unreliable Narration:

   Students will revisit the traits of unreliable narrators using resources like the provided readings and videos. The teacher will guide a discussion on why authors and creators use unreliable narration and how it engages audiences.

2. Literary Analysis:

   Students will read excerpts from literary works such as The Catcher in the Rye, The Tell-Tale Heart, or Life of Pi. Using a guided worksheet, they will analyze the narrator’s reliability by identifying contradictions, exaggerated emotions, or gaps in logic. Each student will write a short response discussing how the unreliable narrator shapes the story’s themes and tone.

3. Modern Media Comparison:

   Students will select a movie, TV show, or podcast featuring unreliable narrators (e.g., Fight Club, The Sixth Sense, Gone Girl). They will watch or listen carefully, noting clues about the narrator’s unreliability and how these are revealed to the audience. Students will write a comparative analysis, discussing similarities and differences between the literary and modern media examples.

4. Presentation and Discussion:

   Students will create a visual presentation (e.g., slides, posters) summarizing their findings. Presentations should include:

   • A brief overview of their literary and media examples.
   • Key traits of the unreliable narrators they analyzed.
   • How unreliable narration impacts the audience’s interpretation of the story.
   Students will present to the class, followed by a discussion on the role of unreliable narration across different mediums.

Materials Needed:

• Access to excerpts from literary works (e.g., The Catcher in the Rye, The Tell-Tale Heart).
• Access to modern media examples (movies, TV shows, or podcasts).
• Writing tools for analysis.
• Tools for creating presentations (computers, art supplies).