The Neverending Story

More than just a fantasy novel for young adults, Ende’s The Neverending Story functions as a type of metafiction, or “fictional writing which self-consciously and systematically draws attention to its status as an artifact in order to pose questions about the relationship between fiction and reality” (Patricia Waugh. Metafiction: The Theory and Practice of Self-Conscious Fiction. p. 2). Rather than limiting itself to a straightforward story of a young boy’s adventures, Ende’s novel uses Bastian’s narrative comments to guide outside readers and imaginatively involve them in the plot.

To this end, the novel intersperses the tale of Fantastica (written in Rome type) with Bastian’s experiences and thoughts (written in italic type), a device that allows Bastian to function as both a reader and the protagonist. The original version even alternated between red and green type to highlight the metanarrative technique. Initially, Bastian merely reads the text and provides commentary, but at the mid-point of the novel, he enters into the story itself and then becomes the writer and creator of the narrative through imaginative wishing.

While the metafictional aspects of Ende’s novel can be found in many popular and classic novels for children and young adults (including Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and William Goldman’s The Princess Bride), the novel employs a two-part structure that adds to its uniqueness. The first half of the book follows the traditional hero’s quest pattern, as readers witness Atreyu go through the typical mythological framework (including a call to action, supernatural aid, and crossing the return threshold). However, the second half of the book, which begins once Bastian enters Fantastica, reveals not the heroic growth of a character, but instead Bastian’s disintegration as he becomes increasingly selfish and unsure of his true identity. Until the last chapters of the book, Bastian functions as an antagonistic force, altering Fantastica in ways that harm himself and the magical world around him as he pursues personal fame and power rather than altruistic meaning. The ending of the novel finally allows for Bastian’s inner growth and repositions him once again as the protagonist of the larger story. By learning to love, Bastian regains his identity and redeems himself as a force for good.