Heterodiegetic - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Heterodiegetic refers to a narrator who is not a character in the story and exists outside the narrative, often providing an external perspective on events.
Definition:
Relating to a narrator who is not a character in the story they tell.
Synonyms:
extradiegetic, external, third-person
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
homodiegetic, intradiegetic
Common Collocations:
heterodiegetic narrator, heterodiegetic perspective, heterodiegetic voice
Derivatives:
heterodiegesis, heterodiegetically
Usage Tips:
Use "heterodiegetic" to describe narrators outside the story, like omniscient or third-person voices.
Common Phrases:
heterodiegetic storytelling, heterodiegetic framework, heterodiegetic narration
Etymology:
From Greek "hetero-" (different) + "diegesis" (narrative), meaning a narrative from an external perspective.
Examples:
- 1. The novel uses a heterodiegetic narrator to describe events objectively.
- 2. A heterodiegetic voice often provides an all-knowing perspective in classic literature.
- 3. Films with heterodiegetic narration rely on an unseen storyteller.
- 4. The author chose a heterodiegetic style to distance readers from the protagonist.