DIGITAL MODERNITY AND THE EVOLUTION OF NARRATIVE FORM LANGUAGE, IDENTITY AND REPRESENTATION IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH FICTION

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of digital modernity on the evolution of narrative form in contemporary English fiction, with particular focus on the interconnections between language, identity, and representation. Digital modernity, shaped by the proliferation of networked technologies, social media, and algorithm-driven communication systems, has transformed literary production and reception, leading to innovative narrative strategies that challenge traditional linear and realist conventions. Contemporary English fiction increasingly incorporates fragmented structures, multimodal storytelling, and hybrid linguistic forms that reflect the complexities of digitally mediated life. These narrative transformations are closely tied to shifting constructions of identity, where the self is represented as fluid, performative, and often shaped through digital interactions and online discourse. The paper also explores how language functions as a dynamic site of meaning-making, influenced by internet vernaculars, code-switching, and evolving communicative practices. Furthermore, it interrogates issues of representation in a globalized digital context, where marginalized voices gain new visibility while simultaneously navigating the constraints imposed by algorithmic power structures. By situating contemporary fiction within the broader framework of digital culture, this study argues that the evolution of narrative form serves as a critical response to changing modes of communication and identity formation, thereby redefining the role of literature in the digital age.