A narrative technique where the story moves backward in time to reveal past events, also known as a flashback. This device provides background information, explains character motivation, or reveals crucial plot details.
From Greek 'analepsis' meaning 'a taking up' or 'recovery,' from 'ana' (back, again) and 'lepsis' (taking). The term was adopted by narrative theorists in the 20th century to provide precise vocabulary for analyzing temporal structures in storytelling.
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