An epilogue is a literary device, a short piece of writing that comes after the main body of a book. It is usually used to wrap up the story or to provide closure for the characters. Epilogues can be helpful for authors, as they allow them to provide more information about what happens to the characters after the main story has ended. They can also be used to set up a sequel.
This blog post will discuss what an epilogue is and why you might want to write one for your book!
What is an epilogue, and what purpose does it serve in a novel or story?
The word epilogue:
Epilogue comes from the ancient Greek word “epilogos,” meaning “conclusion word.”
An epilogue is a way to tie up loose ends or provide closure at the end of a film or a literary work. It can reveal what happened to the characters after the main story ended, give insight into what was happening off-stage during the main story, or set up a sequel.
Epilogues are not necessary, but they can be helpful if you want to give readers a sense of closure or open up the possibility for future stories.
How to write an epilogue that is satisfying and meaningful to your readers
Writing an effective epilogue starts with understanding what it is meant to accomplish. An epilogue should provide closure but also include elements of surprise and intrigue. It should be interesting enough to get readers thinking about what could happen next while at the same time reminding them that this particular story has a beginning and an end.
When writing your epilogue, start by summarizing the main story’s events. This is especially important if you’ve written a series and readers will be returning to this book after some time away.
Once you’ve summarized the story’s main events, you can move on to what happens next, for example, revealing new information, offering a different point of view from one of the main characters, or a final thought that will tie things together.
Examples of famous epilogues from literature and film
There are many epilogue examples to learn from:
The classic example of an epilogue is the ending of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which features a lengthy epilogue that re-introduces characters and explains what happened to them after their adventures in Middle Earth ended.
In Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mina Harker recounts what happened to the characters after they defeated the Count. Many of the characters went on to have successful careers after defeating Dracula. For example, Mina Harker became a famous author, and John Seward became a world-renowned doctor. Some, however, were not so fortunate. Lucy Westenra, for example, died shortly after the battle due to her vampiric condition. And Dracula himself? Well, no one knows for sure … some say he still walks the earth in search of new blood to drink…
In J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry, Ron, and Hermione reunite after their battle with Voldemort and discuss what will come next for them. More recently, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows included an epilogue that takes place 19 years after the main story, showing what happened to Harry and his friends in the future.
In J.D Salinger’s classic novel The Catcher in the Rye, the epilogue reveals what happened to protagonist Holden Caulfield following the novel’s climax. In addition, it shows what Holden does after he returns to school, telling what he has learned about life during his journey.
There are many famous epilogues in history, but perhaps one of the most famous is the end of Arthur Golden’s novel, Memoirs of a Geisha. In the epilogue, the protagonist, Sayuri, tells the story of her encounter with an American naval officer following Japan’s surrender at the end of World War II. After experiencing great hardship and loss throughout her life, Sayuri finally finds peace and happiness in her old age. The epilogue reminds us that even in tough times, there can be a silver lining if we’re patient enough to look for it.
In the final scenes of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Rosalind and Orlando are finally married, and everyone lives happily ever after. Rosalind has been disguised as a boy for most of the play, but in the end, she reveals her true identity to Orlando. They get married, and all their friends and family are there to celebrate. Even Touchstone and Audrey get married! It’s a really happy ending.
In movies, epilogues are often used to add a touch of humor
– For instance, in Bridesmaids, there’s a hilarious epilogue in which Kristen Wiig’s character laments her failed attempt at monogamy. This provides some much-needed laughs after an otherwise emotional movie.
– In a funny epilogue scene after the end credits of The Avengers, we see the team sitting in a circle in Central Park, eating hot dogs and discussing what they will do next. Tony Stark complains that he’s “got a paper cut on his ass” and needs to go back into the Iron Man suit to heal it. As they all get up to leave, we see Thor casually picking up a New York City taxi cab and walking away with it.
In the words of Tony Stark himself: “Well, I guess that’s the end of an era. Or is it? ‘Cause I feel pretty damn unbeatable right now.”
His final note: “Thanks for following our tale of superheroes and their epic battle against evil. Stay tuned for more adventures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!”
Here are some famous epilogue quotes:
There is a famous epilogue by Michel de Montaigne. He said, “I have never seen a man who had better control over his thoughts than I have over mine.” This is a great quote to remember because it reminds us that we can choose our thoughts and, as a result, control our lives.
“I have found that if you love life, life will love you back. If you hate life, life will hate you back. It’s a very simple choice.” – Arthur Rubinstein
“Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their minds.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs
The benefits of writing a solid epilogue for your work
The main benefits are:
– Firstly, it can provide closure and a sense of resolution for readers who have invested in your story.
– It is also an opportunity to deepen the emotional connection with readers by showing what happened to characters after their “primary” journey ended and what lessons they learned along the way.
– Additionally, epilogues can introduce a new plot line, keeping readers engaged or enticing them to check out future works.
– Writing an epilogue is also a great way to experiment with different writing styles and perspectives that you may not have explored in the main body of the work.
– Finally, it can help you wrap up any unfinished business from the main story, such as what happened to a specific character after the climax of your story.
An epilogue is typically shorter than the main body of the work, but it should still be well-crafted and thoughtfully written. It should explain what happened after your story’s climax and what may happen in the future. This gives readers closure and allows them to connect with what happened in the story.
Tips for revising and editing your epilogue for the best possible outcome
There are a few things you should keep in mind:
First, ensure the language used is consistent with what was used throughout the rest of the work.
Second, double-check that any loose ends have been tied up and all questions have been answered.
Third, ensure that the tone of the epilogue is appropriate for what you’ve already written.
Lastly, edit your work for grammar and spelling errors.
Some common pitfalls to avoid when writing an epilogue
Here are a few mistakes to watch out for:
1) Don’t make it too long. An epilogue should be brief and to the point; if it gets too lengthy, consider trimming it down to a few sentences or paragraphs.
2) An epilogue should be focused on what comes next for the characters rather than what happened in the past storyline. If any lingering plot points need resolution, they can be addressed in a post-script or a separate story.
3) Don’t make it too preachy or sentimental. While an epilogue should be emotionally satisfying, avoid using it for moralizing or tying up the story with a neat bow. Instead, allow readers to conclude what comes next for your characters.
4) Avoid introducing new characters or subplots. An epilogue should be about what comes next for the existing characters, not what might come in the future of a new character or storyline.
5) Give readers a sense of closure. The best epilogues don’t necessarily answer all questions, but they provide some emotional closure and satisfaction.
Writing an epilogue can be a great way to add a sense of resolution and completion to your work, giving readers the satisfaction they’re looking for at the end of a story. Following these tips ensures that your epilogue will be an effective and meaningful addition to your narrative.
Resources for further reading on the topic
• “The Writer’s Digest Guide to Epilogues” by Jane Friedman – This guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about writing epilogues, from their function and purpose to tips on how to write them effectively.
• “Epilogue: It Ain’t Over” by Janet Burroway, from The New York Times Book Review: https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/06/14/reviews/9806
• “Epilogue – What’s Next” by Jami Gold, from Writer’s Digest: https://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/epilogue-whats-next
• A great article on the Huffington Post called “The Epilogue: A Writer’s Best Friend” talks about epilogues.
Conclusion
An epilogue can be a powerful tool in a storyteller’s arsenal, helping to tie up loose ends, provide closure for readers, and leave a lasting impression.
If you are considering adding an epilogue to your work, remember the essential elements that make for an intense and satisfying conclusion: purpose, brevity, character focus, and emotion. Then, with careful planning and attention to detail, you can write an epilogue that will serve your story well.
Good Luck!
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other writing articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
All the best,
Ulla