Definition:
Flashback is a literary device wherein the author depicts the occurrence of specific events to the reader, which have taken place before the present time the narration is following, or events that have happened before the events that are currently unfolding in the story.
Flashback devices that are commonly used are past narratives by characters, depictions and references of dreams and memories and a sub device known as authorial sovereignty wherein the author directly chooses to refer to a past occurrence by bringing it up in a straightforward manner. Flashback is used to create a background to the present situation, place or person.
Example:
Back in the day when Sarah was a young girl…
You can see flashbacks used very often in movies. For example, it is common in movies for there to be a flashback that gives the viewer a look into the characters life when they were younger, or when they have done something previously. This is done to help the viewer better understand the present situation.
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What theories could be used to analyse flashback?
nice job
I’m so bad at this, thanks for the help đź‘Ť
If a vivid explanation is given would it be flashback and imagery or must it be only one?
It seems to me that any literary device could be a part of, or have included within it, imagery.
Would a flashback be a structure or language device?
Structural
Structure
Do we put it in italics?
Normally yes but you do not have to. Many authors tend to italicize flashbacks, however, it all depends on your depiction or usage of the flashback.