An unreliable narrator plays an important role in shaping the reader’s perception of the story by creating ambiguity and suspicion. This narrative violates expectations of the storyteller as a reliable guide, forcing readers to actively engage with the text and question the authenticity of the account.

1. Cultivates doubt and suspicion: An unreliable narrator casts doubt on the veracity of the story. This ambiguity forces readers to consider multiple versions of events and characters, creating a complex and layered understanding of the story
2. Increases Interaction: Readers become more engaged as they gather clues and paradoxes and discover underlying truths. This active participation can make the reading experience immersive and stimulating.
3. Reveals Issues: The unreliability of the narrator often reveals issues in the story, such as subjective facts, faulty recall, or states of mind which are strong. This collision deepens the theme’s resonance and enhances the plot.
4. Character Development: An unreliable narrator can provide insight into their state of mind or moral compass. Their distortions or omissions reveal their prejudices, motivations, and insecurities, creating a more dramatic portrait of the narrator himself.
5. Creating Suspense Surprises: By withholding or manipulating information, an unreliable narrator can create suspense and facilitate plot twists. These uncertainties keep readers suspenseful and give the story a greater emotional impact.

Essentially, the unreliable storyteller challenges readers to look at uncertainty in the story, makes them more actively and critically engaged with the text, and ultimately gives story a great experience.