METAFICTION Meaning and
Definition
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Metafiction is a literary genre or technique that self-consciously draws attention to its own fictional nature, highlighting the artificiality and constructedness of the narrative. It is characterized by the deliberate incorporation of reflexive or self-referential elements that blur the boundaries between reality and fiction within the text.
The term "metafiction" is derived from the Greek prefix "meta," meaning "beyond" or "about," and "fiction," referring to a narrative or story. Metafiction explores the relationship between fiction and reality, challenging conventional storytelling conventions and prompting readers to question the nature of literature itself.
In metafiction, authors often break the illusion of a seamless narrative by introducing devices such as narrators who address the reader directly, self-aware characters who acknowledge their literary existence, or narratives that shift between multiple layers of storytelling. These devices prompt readers to question the reliability of the narrative, the role of the author, and the nature of truth within the fictional world.
By acknowledging its own artifice, metafiction invites readers to engage in a more active and critical reading experience, forcing them to reflect on the act of storytelling and the power dynamics between authors and readers. It often aims to challenge conventional literary norms, question the boundaries of reality and fiction, and explore the creative process itself.
Notable examples of metafiction include Vladimir Nabokov's "Pale Fire," Italo Calvino's "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler," and Jorge Luis Borges' short stories, which frequently incorporate elements of self-reference and literary playfulness.
Common Misspellings for METAFICTION
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Etymology of METAFICTION
The word "metafiction" is composed of two elements: "meta" and "fiction".
1. Meta: The prefix "meta" comes from the Greek word "meta", which means "beyond" or "transcending". In English, it is used to denote something that is self-referential or goes beyond the subject it describes. In the context of literature, it often refers to works that self-consciously reflect on the nature of fiction itself.
2. Fiction: Originating from the Latin word "fictio", meaning "a shaping, a feigning", the term "fiction" refers to a literary creation that presents imagined or invented events, characters, or settings.
Therefore, when combined, "metafiction" refers to a type of fiction that goes beyond or transcends the traditional boundaries of storytelling by self-consciously drawing attention to its own fictional nature.
