1、英語短篇小說教程Short Stories in English: A Reading Course英語短篇小說教程Short Stories in EngUnit SixFlashback and ForeshadowingReading: “The Swing” by Mary Gavell Unit SixFlashback (1): A writer may not present a storys events in first-thing-first order. Instead, he may plunge us into the very middle of things, o

2、r choose to begin from the ending part and then move back into the past to reconstruct the events that lead up to the final outcome. By the device of flashback, the writer of fiction can freely interrupt the natural flow of events, move out of chronological sequence to examine an event or situation

3、that occurred earlier, and bring in the past whenever it is most relevant to the present. Flashback (1):Flashback (2): Different forms of flashbacks can be used to achieve the desired effect, such as the narrators re-creation of earlier situations, the stories and events of the past that the charact

4、ers tell, or memories of a person in the form of dreams and daydreams.Flashback (2):Flashback (3): For example, a short story may begin with a funeral, and then goes back into the past life of the dead person to unfold, stage by stage, his personal history and to provide glimpses of what had made hi

5、m the person that he was. In such a case, the main body of the fictional work is constructed on a series of flashbacks. Flashback (3):Foreshadowing (1): Foreshadowing means the introduction early in a story of situations, events, objects or characters that will reveal themselves as things or persons

6、 of importance later in the fiction. In all cases, the purpose of foreshadowing is to prepare the reader for what is yet to happen. It is a device most often seen in detective stories as “clues.” An ordinary object, a chance remark or a seemingly trivial event could be of great significance if it is

7、 planted intentionally by the author as foreshadowing of what occurs later in the fiction. Foreshadowing (1): Foreshadowing (2): Readers may not be immediately aware of the existence of a particular foreshadowing, but as the story develops, its role becomes apparent in the relationship of things. In

8、 the process of discovering the relationship and the significance that such relationship reveals, readers grow increasingly involved as they see the likelihood of a particular outcome.Foreshadowing (2):Foreshadowing (3): Foreshadowing applies primarily to plot, as a significant later event is prepar

9、ed for by information provided earlier. A minor episode may foreshadow a major later one. A subplot often parallels and may foreshadow a main plot. A dialogue may suggest a later action. A symbol early in a story may sow the seed of understanding for the end.Foreshadowing (3): ForesExamples of flash

10、back. What thematic functions do they play?The swing was suspended from so high, and its arc was so wide, that riding in it was like sailing through the air with the leisurely swoop of a wheeling bird. One seemed to travel from one horizon to the other. And how proud Julius had been of it when Jamie

11、 was old enough to swing in it, and the neighborhood children had stood around to admire and be given a turn, for there was no other swing like it. (“The Swing,” lines 38-42)They did go home by the river road, and it seemed very long; she was a little depressed, as she often was when she returned fr

12、om Jamess house. (“The Swing.” lines 75-76)Examples of flashback. What thExamples of foreshadowing. What thematic function do they play?The Consular Service is ill paid, and she was dressed always very simply; but she knew how to wear her clothes. (“Mr. Know-All,” lines 111-112)Mrs. Ramsay in her mo

13、dest way flushed a little and slipped the chain inside her dress. (“Mr. Know-All,” lines 138-139-)As she grew old, she began to dream again. She had not dreamed much in her middle years; or, if she had , the busyness of her days, converging on her the moment she awoke, had pushed her dreams right ou

14、t of her head (“The Swing,” lines 1-3)Examples of foreshadowing. WhaThe Story :Mary Gavell The SwingThe Story :Reading Tips: There is a phenomenon called “empty nest syndrome”（空巢綜合癥）, a condition of depression that affects parents after their children leave home. This story is about an aging mother

15、troubled by feelings of emptiness, loss and loneliness. Yet somehow, she begins to have mysterious reunions with her seven-year-old boy, night after night, summoned by the creaking sound of an old swing and enjoys warm and hearty conversations with her son of thirty years earlier. The beginning sent

16、ence of the story foreshadows the direction of interpretation of the whole story which is composed of a lot of flashbacks - memories of the past life.Reading Tips: Questions for Discussion: What is the significance of the opening sentence “As she grew old, she began to dream again”? Is it only the o

17、ld age that causes the mother to dream and daydream more often now? What is it about Julius, the husband, that annoys the wife? Is he an annoying person? Why do you think he behaves the way he does? Does he understand her emotional situation?In one of the flashbacks, there is description of one of the Sunday dinners at the adult sons home. How is the mother-son conversation different from her talks with her boy on the swing?How do you explai