metafiktsiooni

Metafiction refers to a type of fiction that self-consciously draws attention to its status as a work of fiction, often for the purpose of commenting on the conventions of storytelling, the nature of reality, or the relationship between author, reader, and text. It is a form of postmodern literature that plays with the artificiality of narrative.

Key characteristics of metafiction include breaking the fourth wall, where characters might address the reader directly or acknowledge they are in a book. Authors may also appear as characters or comment on the writing process itself. Narrative unreliable perspectives, discussions of genre tropes, and the exploration of the fictionality of memory and identity are also common. The intent is not necessarily to deceive but to explore the boundaries of fiction and reality.

Metafiction can manifest in various ways, from subtle allusions to overt disruptions of narrative structure. It invites the reader to become a more active participant in constructing meaning, often questioning the perceived authenticity of literary works and the very act of storytelling. This self-awareness aims to highlight the constructed nature of narrative and its potential to shape our understanding of the world.