Analepsis
/id/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (ID).Definition & Context
NounNoun
A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.
A narrative technique in literature and cinematography referring to a flashback, involving the insertion of past events into the current storyline to provide context or explanation for present circumstances.
Synonyms & Variants
kilas balik
The most common standard Indonesian equivalent used to refer to the same concept, particularly in film and popular literary contexts.
flashback
The informal and popular form frequently used in everyday conversation and film reviews, replacing the technical term `analepsis`.
retrospeksi
Used in broader academic and psychological contexts, not limited solely to fictional narratives.
alur mundur
A more general term used in secondary-level literary education in Indonesia, covering a broader concept than `analepsis` alone.
ingatan balik
A more descriptive and psychological variant, sometimes used in narrative contexts that emphasize a character's subjective perspective.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word analepsis originates from Ancient Greek analepsis, literally meaning “a taking up again” or “recovery”, derived from the prefix ana- (back, up) and lepsis (a taking), itself from the verb lambanein (to take). In modern narratology, the term was systematically popularized by French literary theorist Gérard Genette in his seminal work Discours du récit (1972). Genette employed analepsis as a precise technical counterpart to the common notion of “flashback”, distinguishing it rigorously from prolepsis (a flash-forward or anticipation). The term is widely used across literary studies, film theory, and academic rhetoric.
Real-world Usage
Penggunaan analepsis dalam novel itu memperkuat karakter tokoh utama.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.