prolepsis
Say it: proh-LEP-sis /prəʊˈlɛpsɪs/ · noun
What “prolepsis” means
A story jumping ahead to something that happens later.
More precisely: A flash-forward: a jump ahead in time within a story.
Example: “The opening prolepsis shows the wedding, then rewinds to how they met.”
When to use it
In literary or film analysis, when describing a narrative's jump forward to an event that has not happened yet.
Similar words
flash-forward, anticipation
Where it comes from
Greek prolēpsis, 'anticipation'.
Quick check
During a childhood scene, the film briefly shows the same character as an elderly astronaut, then returns. That jump is…
prolepsis or a flashback?
Show the answer
prolepsis
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