Glossary
Flashback
A literary device that interrupts the chronological sequence of a story to present an event or scene that occurred at an earlier time.
Example:
In 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,' Dumbledore uses a Pensieve to show Harry flashbacks of Tom Riddle's past, revealing how Voldemort became who he is.
Foreshadowing
The use of hints or clues by an author to suggest future events or outcomes in a story, building suspense or anticipation.
Example:
When the character in a horror novel keeps hearing strange whispers and seeing shadows, it's often a clear foreshadowing of a terrifying encounter to come.
In Medias Res
A narrative technique where the story begins in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning, immediately engaging the reader.
Example:
Many epic poems, like Homer's 'The Odyssey,' start in medias res, dropping the audience directly into the hero's journey already underway, then filling in the backstory later.
Linear Narrative
A narrative structure where events are presented in chronological order, following a clear sequence from beginning to end.
Example:
Most children's stories, like 'The Three Little Pigs,' follow a linear narrative, showing events unfold step-by-step from the pigs building houses to the wolf's defeat.
Nonlinear Narrative
A narrative structure that deviates from chronological order, presenting events out of sequence to achieve specific artistic effects.
Example:
Quentin Tarantino's films often employ a nonlinear narrative, jumping between different timelines to reveal plot points and character motivations gradually.
Stream of Consciousness
A narrative mode that attempts to portray the unfiltered, continuous flow of a character's thoughts, feelings, and memories as they occur.
Example:
Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs. Dalloway' is a prime example of stream of consciousness, allowing readers to experience Clarissa Dalloway's inner world through her wandering, associative thoughts over a single day.