Literary Devices Flashback Foreshadowing and Symbolism FLASHBACK A

Literary Devices Flashback, Foreshadowing, and Symbolism

FLASHBACK • A flashback interrupts the sequence of events in a story to show something that happened before the story’s beginning. It takes you to the past to help you understand the events in a story.

FORESHADOWING Foreshadowing gives us hints about what might happen later in a story. These clues can: -be in the form of events in the story, OR -come from information from the narrator or a character Foreshadowing is used to build suspense or tension in a story.

SYMBOLISM • A symbol is something that stands for, or represents, something else. • A symbol can be used to: -provide a deeper understanding of a story, -to create a certain feeling in the reader, OR -to make an important point. Examples: flag=freedom lion=_______ owl =_______ heart=_______

“Go Bears!” yelled Phillip, waving his right arm. Even though his left arm was in a cast and he was sitting on the bench, Phillip was still focused and excited about the game. The Bears were behind; the score was 41 -40. With five seconds left, Phillip’s best friend James dribbled down the court. Suddenly a flood of memories overwhelmed Phillip. It was the first game of the season. As Phillip drove through the lane to score the winning basket, he was fouled. He ended up underneath the two boys who had tried to block his shot. Phillip tried to hold back his tears when he saw the bulging broken bone of his dangling arm. His season was finished. The cheers of the crowd now brought Phillip back to reality. James had just put up the winning shot. Phillip would have given anything to be playing tonight, but he was glad that James had a chance to shine.

• Flashback: At what point in the story excerpt above does the forward movement in time stop?

Luis turned his old car onto the gravel road. Dust followed him as he drove across the desert toward the mountains. He usually loved driving down this road at sunset on his way home. But today was different. The road seemed more desolate and even bumpier than usual. He remembered the time he had a blowout and the car had spun uncontrollably as it crossed the road. He wiped the beads of perspiration from his forehead and gripped the steering wheel with both hands. Having a blowout had been frightening. He hoped it wouldn’t happen again. FORESHADOWING: What part of this excerpt tells you that something bad may happen to Luis?

Lily felt so lonely that she could hardly face the day. As she dragged herself out of bed, she thought of home. Only two more days! Then she would be able to see her mother again. She missed her mother’s smile and her hugs, but she especially missed working in the garden with her. They had spent many happy hours there that summer, weeding and planting but mostly chatting. Lily quickly dressed and went downstairs to greet her aunt and her cousins Maria and Juan. A huge smile broke across her face when she saw the vase of daisies on the table. She didn’t feel quite as lonely as she read the card that was attached to the vase. It read, “Miss you. Mom. ” SYMBOLISM: In the excerpt above, what object is the symbol? What does it stand for? What feeling does it create?