CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH LITERATURE AND THE DIGITAL AGE: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON NARRATIVE

Abstract

This study explores the multifaceted impact of technology on contemporary English literature through a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, which includes qualitative interviews with authors and critics, as well as a quantitative survey targeting readers engaged with digital platforms. The findings reveal significant shifts in narrative forms and reader engagement, underscoring enhanced accessibility and diversity made possible through digital technologies. Themes such as the emergence of new narrative structures and the cultivation of reader communities are examined, highlighting how platforms facilitate interaction and connection among authors and their audiences. However, the research also identifies challenges, particularly the issue of digital distraction, which poses risks to deep reading and literary immersion. By juxtaposing the opportunities offered by technological advancements against the potential pitfalls, this research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on literature in the digital age. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need to find a delicate balance between innovation and the preservation of literary depth, providing a framework for understanding how contemporary storytelling practices are evolving within an increasingly digital landscape.