DIGITAL EPISTOLARITY: THE LITERATURE OF THE FEED AND THE FRAGMENTATION OF MODERN NARRATIVE

International Journal of Computer Science (IJCS) Published by SK Research Group of Companies (SKRGC)

Abstract

The traditional epistolary novel, characterized by the exchange of handwritten letters, has long been a vehicle for exploring psychological intimacy and temporal distance in literature. However, the twenty-first century has witnessed a radical transformation of this genre through the advent of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC). This paper explores the emergence of "Digital Epistolarity," a contemporary literary form where narrative is entirely driven by text messages, email chains, WhatsApp threads, and social media feeds. By examining the structural and thematic shifts inherent in this new medium, this study argues that digital epistolarity is not merely a cosmetic update to an old genre, but a fundamental restructuring of narrative epistemology. Specifically, it analyzes how features such as asynchronous communication, digital "read receipts," typographical performativity, and algorithmic fragmentation alter character development and reader engagement.

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Keywords

epistolary, epistemology, Mediated Communication, Social Networking Sites , Digital Epistolarity