Understanding Reliable and Unreliable Narrators

Carly Stevens discusses the concept of reliable versus unreliable narrators in literature. She explains that narrator reliability is a spectrum, often explored in first-person narratives. Examples from literature, such as 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Yellow Wallpaper,' illustrate how madness and mental impairment can lead to unreliable narration. Emotional suppression, as seen in 'The Remains of the Day,' also affects reliability. The video concludes with a discussion on the importance of narrator reliability in creating ambiguity in stories.

What is the main topic discussed in Carly Stevens' video?

• Character development in novels

• The art of writing poetry

• Reliable vs unreliable narrators

• The history of English literature

In literary analysis, what is a key question regarding narrators?

• How old is the narrator?

• Can the narrator be trusted?

• What is the narrator's favorite color?

• Where does the narrator live?

What does the spectrum of trustworthiness in narrators refer to?

• The narrator's age range

• The narrator's level of education

• The degree to which a narrator can be trusted

• The narrator's geographical location

Which story by Edgar Allan Poe features an unreliable narrator?

• The Fall of the House of Usher

• The Cask of Amontillado

• The Tell-Tale Heart

• The Raven

Why might an author choose to use an unreliable narrator?

• To increase word count

• To create ambiguity

• To make the story more predictable

• To simplify the plot

In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', what form is the story written in?

• Poem

• Diary

• Letter

• Essay

What is a characteristic of the narrator in 'Flowers for Algernon'?

• He is a ghost

• He is a detective

• He is mentally impaired

• He is a genius

Why are most narrators in stories reliable?

• To make the story longer

• To add more characters

• To confuse the reader

• To ensure clarity and trust in storytelling

In 'The Remains of the Day', what aspect makes the narrator unreliable?

• His factual inaccuracies

• His supernatural abilities

• His lack of education

• His emotional suppression

What is the main takeaway from the video?

• Reliable narrators are always better

• Unreliable narrators add depth and complexity

• Narrators should never be trusted

• Narrators should always be factual