ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-134-022 · ATLAS 251

Analepsis

A retrospective depiction of an event that occurred before the current point in the narrative.

Explanation

A retrospective depiction of an event that occurred prior to the current point in the narrative. The past is brought back into the ongoing narrative flow as a newly inserted layer.

Example

In the middle of a conversation, the text recalls in detail the character’s first day of school.

Counterexample

A mere mention of yesterday is not necessarily a fully realized analepsis.

Distinction

Distinction from prolepsis: A mere mention of yesterday is not necessarily a fully realized analepsis.

Effect on thought and perception

The past is brought back into the ongoing narrative stream as a newly inserted layer.

Resonance

Analepsis makes a directed relationship perceptible: the past is brought back into the ongoing narrative stream as a newly inserted layer.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Analepsis“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-134-022. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-134-022

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-134-022

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