We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The technique of flashback in selected Northern Sotho literary texts.
- Authors
Mojalefa, M.J.; Phala, R.S.
- Abstract
This article aims at investigating and explaining the application of the technique of flashback in selected Northern Sotho literary texts. Five kinds of flashback are distinguished, namely external retrospection, internal retrospection, mixed retrospection, flashback to complicate events and flashback of similar events. These kinds of flashback have certain and specific functions, such as reminding readers of past events, foregrounding themes of the text, and so on. This technique is evident in a text when ordinary, everyday events turn out to be the key to surprising secrets that are revealed later. Though flashback seems to be similar to foreshadowing (prolepsis) in that both techniques contain features of repetition and the narration of a specific experience, the techniques, however, differ in that flashback focuses on the elements of secrecy, suspense and surprise, and foreshadowing does not. This article also reveals that a relationship between flashback and the structure of detective stories can be indicated.
- Subjects
FLASHBACKS (Narrative); SOTHO literature; SOUTH African literature; REPETITION (Rhetoric); FOREGROUNDING; NARRATION
- Publication
Literator, 2005, Vol 26, Issue 2, p59
- ISSN
0258-2279
- Publication type
Literary Criticism
- DOI
10.4102/lit.v26i2.228