Final answer:
If an author uses a first-person narrator who is not trustworthy, the narrative mode is called unreliable narrator. This mode contrasts with third-person omniscient narration, where the narrator is external and more neutral. Readers must analyze the evidence in the story to determine the reliability of a first-person narrator.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an author includes a first-person narrator who is not trustworthy, then the unreliable narrator narrative mode is being used. An unreliable narrator is a character who tells a story within a novel or a narrative that readers cannot fully trust to be accurate or truthful. This is often due to the narrator's compromised state of mind, personal biases, limited knowledge, or even intentional deceit.
In contrast, third-person omniscient narration is told by a narrator external to the story who has complete knowledge of the events and characters, providing a more neutral point of view. Unlike the first-person narration, third-person omniscient does not involve the potential bias and subjectivity of a character within the story.
When reading a story with a first-person narrator, it’s important to analyze the narrator’s biases and reliability. One must look for evidence within the text to support the narrator's claims to fully understand the narrative and the characters within it.