The Stranger in the Little Stranger

1080 Words5 Pages
typically, readers are lead to trust the narrator of the novels they choose to read. In Sarah Waters' The Little Stranger, readers should be cautious as to whether or not the narrator is reliable. A theme of the novel is that things are not always what they seem. This goes for the narrator, Dr. Faraday, as well. When one begins reading this novel, one trusts the narrator, but, after finishing, it is clear that the narrator, in fact, cannot be trusted. Dr. Faraday is not a reliable person who is trustworthy, dependable, and authentic. By exploring his character traits, his psychopathic nature, and his dysfunctional relationships, it is clear that Dr. Faraday is anything but reliable. Dr. Faraday is illustrated as an unreliable narrator from the beginning through the character traits the author provides the reader. When he goes to Hundreds Hall, he is supposed to examine Betty. He is asked what is wrong with her and he says, "Betty's fine. A touch of gastritis."(Waters, 16) At first, the reader may think that he is protecting Betty by lying, but as a doctor he knows he is not to do that and that he could even lose his license. Doctors are known to be honest about health, they are not supposed to lie to their patients. He lies to the Ayres' about what is wrong with Betty. Nothing is wrong with her, this shows the reader that he would rather put his job in jeopardy than tell the truth. Also, another time that Dr. Faraday visits with the Ayres family, he discusses Hundreds Hall with them. "'When was this house built? 1720? 1730' 'How clever you are. It was finished in 1733'" (Waters, 23) This quotation shows the reader that the doctor is cunning. The doctor already knows almost everything about the house, he does not need to question when it was built. He uses his charm and cleverness to deceive the family into thinking that he does not know much about the house.

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