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.