The Power of Meta Narrative: Unpacking the Concept

In the realm of literary theory, a significant term has emerged to describe a particular type of narrative structure: meta narrative. This hypernym encompasses all forms of self-reflective utterances and elements within a fictional narrative that do not present their referent as reality but instead encourage readers to contemplate the textuality and fictionality of narrative in terms of its artifactuality. In simpler terms, meta narrative is fiction about fiction.

Metafiction, which literally means 'fiction about fiction,' refers to the capacity of fiction to reflect on its own status as fiction. This self-reflexive quality enables narratives to thematize the fictionality of their own constructedness and imaginary references. The term metafiction is often used interchangeably with metanarration, but it is crucial to distinguish between the two.

Metanarration refers specifically to those forms of self-reflexive narration in which aspects of the narration process are addressed within the narratorial discourse. In contrast, metafiction concerns comments on the fictionality and constructedness of the narrative itself. While both terms share a common thread – their self-referential character – they differ significantly in their scope and focus.

The model of metalanguage serves as the foundation for both metanarration and metafiction. Metalanguage designates a system of language positioned above ordinary referential purposes, allowing narratives to comment on their own narrative structures and fictional nature.

In conclusion, meta narrative is a powerful concept that highlights the ability of fiction to engage in self-reflection and thematize its own fictionality. By distinguishing between metanarration and metafiction, we can better appreciate the nuances of self-reflexive narration and the ways in which narratives can comment on their own constructedness and artifactuality.

Meta narrative