Flashback, Foreshadowing,
Symbol, Theme, and Allusion
FLASHBACK
 An interruption in the action to present events
that took place at an earlier time.
 Can provide information that helps readers
understand a character’s current situation.
 Example: In Touching Spirit
Bear, we learn of
Cole’s time in Circle Justice through flashback.
FORESHADOWING
 Occurs when a writer provides hints that suggest
future events in a story.
 Creates suspense while preparing the reader for
what is to come.
 Example: In Touching Spirit
Bear, Cole’s familiar
rage foreshadows him burning down his cabin
and supplies in chapter 2.
SYMBOL
 A person, place, object, thing, or action that
stands for something beyond itself.
 Universal symbols are those that most people
recognize as they are shown.
 A heart symbolizes love
 A dove symbolizes peace
 Whenever a symbol is identified in a story or
poem, what it represents must also be identified.
 Example: Cole’s life as ingredients that make up a
cake in Touching Spirit Bear.
THEME
 A message about life or human nature that is
communicated by a literary work.
 Usually, the reader must infer what the writer’s
message is.
 One way to find theme is to apply the lessons learned
by the main characters to all people.
 A universal theme is one that can apply to all people;
it is a lesson anyone can learn from in any time,
place, or culture.
 Example: In Touching Spirit
Bear, we see the theme
of forgiveness as Cole learns from Edwin and Garvey
throughout his time on the island.
Allusions
 A reference to someone or something that is known from
literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, or
some other field most people are familiar with.
 Allusions enrich the reading experience. Writers expect
readers to recognize allusions and to think almost at the
same time about the literary work and the allusions
contained in it. If the reader does not understand the
allusion, the work is not as meaningful as it was intended
to be.
 Example: “His mom acted like a scared Barbie doll,
always looking good, but never fighting back or standing
up to anyone.” – Touching Spirit Bear