Parodic Biography: A Study of Julian Barnes’ Flaubert’s Parrot

Abstract

In Flaubert’s Parrot, Julian Barnes transforms the traditional biographical genre through parody, intertextuality,

and historiographic metafiction. This article introduces the concept of parodic biography to analyze how Barnes

challenges the notions of objectivity and truth in literary biography. By examining Flaubert’s letters and the

symbolism of the stuffed parrot, it demonstrates how Barnes dismantles narrative conventions and exposes

tensions between truth, fiction, and subjectivity. Additionally, the article establishes a critical dialogue with Sartre's

L’Idiot de la Famille, highlighting the limitations of totalizing biographical approaches. Finally, it reflects on how

parodic biography redefines the possibilities of the genre, inviting a reconsideration of past representation in

contemporary narratives.