Epilogue: A Literary Device

Etymology of Epilogue

The term “epilogue” has its origins in ancient Greek literature, where it was referred to as “epilogos,” derived from “epi” meaning “upon” and “logos” meaning “word” or “speech.”

In the context of Greek drama, the epilogue was a concluding speech or segment delivered by one of the characters after the main action of the play.

With time, this concept evolved and became a common feature in various forms of literature and storytelling. Today, an epilogue serves as a concluding section in a work of literature, drama, or other forms of narrative, offering closure, reflection, or a glimpse into the future of the characters or the story. Its etymology reflects its original function of providing a final verbal reflection upon the preceding narrative.

Meanings of Epilogue

Aspect	Meaning
Concluding Segment	An epilogue serves as the final part of a literary work or performance, offering closure and resolution to the preceding narrative.
Narrative Reflection	It often includes commentary or reflection on the events, characters, or themes explored in the main body of the work.
Future Outlook	Epilogues may provide a glimpse into the future of the story’s characters, offering insight into their lives beyond the main plot.
Character Development	They can further develop and provide closure for the characters, allowing readers or viewers to see how their arcs conclude.
Historical and Literary Tradition	Epilogues have been a common feature in literature, drama, and storytelling throughout history, offering a way to wrap up and contextualize the narrative.

Definition of Epilogue

An epilogue is a literary device used to provide closure and additional information in a work of literature, often appearing after the main narrative has concluded.

It serves to offer insights, reflections, or a glimpse into the future of the characters or the story world, thus contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the text. Epilogues are a common feature in literature, drama, and film, providing a structured way to conclude a narrative and leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Types of Epilogues

Type	Explanation	Example
Closure Epilogue	Provides a sense of closure by revealing the fates or destinies of main characters after the story’s end, resolving loose ends.	In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the epilogue shows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as adults, sending their own children off to Hogwarts.
Reflective Epilogue	Focuses on the story’s themes and lessons, often including the author’s or characters’ reflections to deepen the narrative’s message.	In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s reflective epilogue provides insights into the impact of her childhood experiences.
Flashforward Epilogue	Jumps ahead in time, offering a glimpse of characters’ future lives, emphasizing hope or consequences of the story’s events.	In The Lord of the Rings, the epilogue shows the departure of characters like Frodo and Gandalf as they sail into the West.
Narrative Epilogue	Introduces a new story or subplot after the main narrative, often setting up a sequel or spin-off within the same story world.	In The Hobbit, the narrative epilogue hints at further adventures with the return of Bilbo’s treasure.
Authorial Epilogue	Author directly addresses the reader, offering personal insights, commentary, or reflections on the work, providing a unique perspective.	In A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, the authorial epilogue breaks the fourth wall and offers commentary on the story’s events.
Character Epilogue	Presented from the viewpoint of characters, allowing readers to see events from their perspectives and revealing inner thoughts and feelings.	In The Catcher in the Rye, the character epilogue reveals Holden Caulfield’s progress and perspective after the story’s events.
Open-Ended Epilogue	Leaves some story elements unresolved, encouraging readers to interpret the ending in their own way, creating ambiguity and further thought.	In Inception, the open-ended epilogue doesn’t clarify if the top keeps spinning or falls, leaving the audience to decide if the protagonist is still in a dream.

Common Examples of Epilogues

1. Graduation Ceremonies: The commencement address and the distribution of diplomas at a graduation ceremony serve as an epilogue to a student’s academic journey, offering final reflections and celebrating achievements.
2. Funeral Services: The eulogy and the gathering of family and friends after a funeral can be seen as an epilogue to a person’s life, providing an opportunity to reflect on their legacy and share memories.
3. Retirement Parties: Retirement parties often serve as epilogues to a person’s career, offering a chance for colleagues and friends to celebrate their contributions and wish them well in their retirement.
4. Wedding Receptions: The speeches, toasts, and festivities that follow a wedding ceremony act as an epilogue, giving couples an opportunity to express gratitude, share hopes for the future, and celebrate with loved ones.
5. End-of-Year Reviews: In professional settings, end-of-year performance reviews can be considered epilogues to an employee’s work over the past year, summarizing achievements, setting goals, and offering feedback.
6. Travel Journals: A section at the end of a travel journal where the traveler reflects on their experiences and offers concluding thoughts can be seen as an epilogue to their journey.
7. After-Action Reports (AARs): In military and emergency response contexts, AARs function as epilogues to exercises or missions, providing a structured reflection on what went well and what can be improved.
8. Relationship Conversations: Discussions that take place after a major relationship event, such as a breakup or a proposal, can serve as epilogues, allowing individuals to clarify their feelings, provide closure, or discuss plans for the future.
9. Post-Project Evaluation: In business and project management, a post-project evaluation is akin to an epilogue, summarizing the outcomes of a project, discussing lessons learned, and outlining next steps.
10. Parent-Teacher Conferences: These conferences at the end of a school term serve as epilogues to a student’s educational progress, providing parents and teachers the opportunity to discuss a child’s performance and set goals for the future.

In these real-life contexts, epilogues serve to provide closure, reflection, and a sense of continuity after significant events or milestones. They allow individuals to summarize, discuss, and learn from past experiences while looking toward the future.

Suggested Readings

1. Abbate, Carolyn. In Search of Opera. Princeton UP, 2003.
2. Carter, Angela. Wise Children. Penguin, 1991.
3. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 1987.
4. Smith, Zadie. Swing Time. Penguin, 2016.
5. Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie. New Directions, 1945.