Time Ahead of its Telling: Flashforward as a Literary Strategy for Narrative Progression and Emotional Tension in Chokoe’s Lengwalo (2015)

Abstract

Flashforward is a narrative technique frequently employed by authors to accelerate plot progression and provide foresight into future events. This study examines the deliberate use of flashforward by Chokoe (2015) in his novel Lengwalo, focusing on how it contributes to plot advancement and offers readers insight into forthcoming developments. The research demonstrates that Chokoe strategically employs flashforward to shape the narrative structure, allowing readers to anticipate events that later unfold as foreseen. A qualitative research methodology was adopted, utilising a case study design. Data were collected through content analysis to explore events depicting flashforward in the novel. The findings reveal that flashforward is used to create a cohesive and structured plot, ensuring continuity and logical flow in the development of events. Furthermore, the technique enhances reader engagement by fostering anticipation and emotional investment in the storyline. Additionally, flashforwards serve to unveil deeper thematic elements and character motivations, enriching the narrative and providing a nuanced understanding of the novel’s social and psychological dimensions. Based on these findings, the study recommends two key actions: (1) the inclusion of flashforward as a focal point in the teaching of narrative techniques in literature curricula, particularly in African literary studies; and (2) further scholarly exploration of flashforward in other African literary texts to uncover its broader relevance and application in postcolonial storytelling.