John Barth
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Major Issues Major IssuesThe literary term most often associated with John Barth’s writing is "metafiction." The major characteristics of this mode of writing include self-consciousness, playfulness, no pretense of realistic representation, and constant awareness of itself as art. For Barth, the latter includes typographical reminders, such as unusual punctuation and spacing. Critics have discussed the centrality of the story-telling impulse in Barth’s work. His characters’ sanity is shown to depend on their attempts to find and impose meaning through storytelling. Selves and worlds are created through words. Critics observe that the shifts between first person and intrusive authorial narration show the parallels between the struggles of the author and of his characters. Scholars have examined Barth’s humorous parodies, especially of philosophical and literary conventions. All questions are left deliberately unanswered in his work. Author LinksThe Scriptorium: John BarthBarth biography and helpful introductory essay to Barth’s writing. John Barth Info Center: Resources Useful links to reviews of Barth’s work, as well as essays by and about Barth available online. Featured Author: John Barth Reviews of Barth’s books, plus articles by and about Barth from The New York Times Archives. The Art of the Story Transcript of 1998 interview in which Barth talks about his muse and the attraction of the short-story format. "The Making of a Writer" Autobiographical essay in which Barth explains how being born a twin lead him to his literary career.
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