The Interplay of Memory, History, and Fiction: Metafictional Devices in Holocaust Narratives and Collective Consciousness

Abstract

In modern history, the holocaust is an important event, and works of fiction about it are marked by the careful connection of memory, factual history, and fantasy. The study looks at how Holocaust narratives use metafictional devices to affect people’s understandings, ask about historical facts, and change what is considered real in a story. It looks at the way self-referential stories, split plot structures, and references to previous works depict past misfortune and help preserve the memory of cultural events. Reviewing such well-known narratives as Maus, Everything Is Illuminated, and Austerlitz, the concept of metafiction and its relationship with memory are investigated in the research. It is shown through an analysis of literary elements that metafiction’s response to the Holocaust is a creative and helpful response, both ethically and in terms of shaping readers’ and the cultural community’s memory. In the article, the author uses a mix of narrative analysis, theories on how readers react, and studies of history to judge whether it is wise to tell stories about real-life disasters. It is clear from the results that metafiction improves people’s awareness of personal and shared trials by questioning the past, making it important for education, remembering major episodes, and discussing cultural issues