The Narrator Is A Dick Apr 2026

A jerk narrator is often an unreliable one. If they are busy insulting everyone, you have to wonder: What are they trying to hide? Their bias becomes a character trait you have to decode.

In many stories, the narrator is supposed to be an objective observer. But when a narrator is a "dick," they break that contract. They might mock a character’s insecurities, offer snide commentary on their choices, or withhold vital information just to watch the character suffer. This creates a weird triangle where the reader feels closer to the narrator than the protagonist—sharing a "secret" joke at the character’s expense. Why Authors Use This Trope The Narrator Is a DICK

Holden Caulfield narates his own life, and while he’s the protagonist, his constant dismissal of everyone as "phonies" makes him a classic judgmental narrator. The Impact A jerk narrator is often an unreliable one