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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a literary device?
What is the primary purpose of a literary device?
What is the term for an interruption in the chronological order of a narrative to give additional information or backstory?
What is the term for an interruption in the chronological order of a narrative to give additional information or backstory?
What is the opposite of analepsis?
What is the opposite of analepsis?
Why do authors use flashbacks in their writing?
Why do authors use flashbacks in their writing?
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What is a characteristic of a flashback in literature?
What is a characteristic of a flashback in literature?
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What can be a result of using flashbacks in a story?
What can be a result of using flashbacks in a story?
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What is another term for a flashback?
What is another term for a flashback?
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What does a dream sequence flashback typically occur as?
What does a dream sequence flashback typically occur as?
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Who is known to use straight break flashbacks in his writing?
Who is known to use straight break flashbacks in his writing?
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What type of flashback is triggered by events or dialogue in the narrative?
What type of flashback is triggered by events or dialogue in the narrative?
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What is the purpose of the foreshadowing flashback in the opening of the Magnus Chase series?
What is the purpose of the foreshadowing flashback in the opening of the Magnus Chase series?
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In which novel is a flashback used to create sympathy for the character of Severus Snape?
In which novel is a flashback used to create sympathy for the character of Severus Snape?
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What type of flashback is often found in coming-of-age literature?
What type of flashback is often found in coming-of-age literature?
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In which novel is a flashback given through a letter?
In which novel is a flashback given through a letter?
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What is the purpose of using flashbacks in literature?
What is the purpose of using flashbacks in literature?
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Study Notes
Literary Devices
- A literary device is a technique or structure used by authors to enhance meaning, progress a storyline, and enrich themes in their work.
Flashback in Literature
- A flashback is an interruption in the chronological order of a narrative to provide additional information or backstory.
- Flashbacks reveal information about a character's past, disclosing personal secrets or inner conflict.
- They can occur at any point in the work and may be of any duration and in any previous time sequence.
- Flashbacks typically extend beyond simple narration of previous events to include vivid language about the setting and events.
Types of Flashbacks
- Analepsis: the technical term for a flashback, referring to the interruption of the overall chronology to include a past event or situation.
- Prolepsis: the opposite of analepsis, also known as a flashforward.
- Dream sequence flashback: a character envisions or recalls previous events in a dream (e.g., Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë).
- Straight break flashback: the narrator interrupts the chronological flow of the text to give additional backstory (e.g., Brandon Sanderson's writing).
- Memory flashback: events or dialogue trigger a character to remember previous events (e.g., Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury).
- Foreshadowing flashback: the information in the flashback creates suspense about a future event or gives away the ending (e.g., Magnus Chase series by Rick Riordan).
Examples of Flashbacks in Literature
- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling: flashbacks are used to create sympathy for characters and provide background information on relationships.
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: a letter reveals information about Mr. Darcy's past, giving insight into characters and their motives.
- Homer's Odyssey: flashbacks provide information about Odysseus prior to the opening of the text, en route home from Troy.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: a continuous flashback is used to relate events from the narrator's childhood.
- A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: a letter is used to reveal important backstory about Dr. Mannette.
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Description
Learn about literary devices, including flashbacks, used by authors to enhance meaning and storytelling. Discover how flashbacks can increase understanding about characters, situations, and time frames.
