Construction of reality and the Unreliable Narrator in the works of Don DeLillo

Abstract

This paper studies the construction of reality and the role of the unreliable narrator in the works of Don DeLillo who is one of the most influential postmodern American novelists. His fiction interrogates the instability of truth, manipulation of perception, and the fragmented nature of contemporary reality shaped by media, consumer culture. This study analyses the how DeLillo employs unreliable narration, fragmented story telling, shifting perspectives, and metafictional techniques to challenge the reader’s understanding of reality and authenticity. The paper also highlights the influence of postmodern theories on DeLillo’s narrative style, particularly the ideas related to hyperreality, subjectivity, and deconstruction. Ultimately, this study seeks to show that DeLillo’s works challenge conventional notions of truth and encourage readers to question the authenticity of the realities presented before them.