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Flashback vs Backstory - What's the difference?

flashback | backstory |

As nouns the difference between flashback and backstory

is that flashback is a dramatic device in which an earlier event is inserted into the normal chronological flow of a narrative while backstory is the previous life and experiences of a character in a dramatic work.

flashback

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • a dramatic device in which an earlier event is inserted into the normal chronological flow of a narrative
  • (psychology) a vivid mental image of a past trauma, especially one that recurs
  • a similar recurrence of the effects of a hallucinogenic drug
  • the condition of the flame propagating down the hose of an oxy-fuel welding system

    • Synonyms

    * (dramatic device) analepsis

    Coordinate terms

    * (act of remembering) reminiscence

    Derived terms

    * (flame) flashback arrestor

    Descendants

    * German: (l)

    See also

    * flashforward

    Anagrams

    * ----

    backstory

    English

    Alternative forms

    * back story * back-story

    Noun

    (wikipedia backstory) (backstories)
  • The previous life and experiences of a character in a dramatic work.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2004, date=January 16, author=Kelly Kleiman, title=Her Side of the Story, work=Chicago Reader citation
    • , passage=These backstories cast the characters' behavior in a new light: of course Gertrude would promptly marry the man who saved her from abuse; of course Ophelia would be desperate and indiscreet in seeking Hamlet's love.}}
  • * A fictitious account of a person's history designed to conceal their actual history and motives; a cover story.
  • A prequel.