This work is an introduction to a phenomenon that proliferates both
literature and cinema. When critiquing a work of fiction any reputable analyst rereads the text several times. In many cases, this is for the simple purpose of being thorough. Upon a repeated observation of the text the critic receives new insight to characters and identifies foreshadowing that was formally unapparent. In most instances, the text remains static in regards to overall comprehension of the scenario, but not in all cases. In some instances, the entire work is changed by new insight gained from the intricacies of the resolution.
A prime and conveniently current example of this phenomenon occurs in the
film The Sixth Sense. Upon the first viewing of the film, the protagonist, played by
Bruce Willis, appears to interact with all the characters around him. Once it is revealed that his character was actually a ghost and invisible to all the characters save the little boy, it becomes apparent how deceptively potent the combination of both
cinematography and choreography had been. The second screening of the film then offers an entirely new perspective. A particular scene that exemplifies this perspective is the anniversary scene. The protagonist rushes into a restaurant apparently late for an anniversary dinner with his wife. He tries to explain his tardiness to no avail. His wife then wishes him a happy anniversary and rushes from the restaurant in tears. The first interpretation of the scenario is that the wife feels neglected and is frustrated with our protagonist’s priorities or lack thereof. The second, enlightened, interpretation is that his wife is alone, celebrating their anniversary for the first time since his death.
A popular example of this phenomenon in literature occurs in Shirley
Jackson’s The Lottery. The first reading of the text mentions the Lottery as an age, old tradition. It maintains that other towns that have abandoned the Lottery have lost their vitality. The Narrative fills the reader with a longing for the good old days and remembrance of the way things were. The young boys working together to fill the square with piles of stones evoke the notion of wonderful, frivolous, childhood preoccupations. At the end of the tale, the reader learns that the person chosen in the Lottery is stoned to death by his or her fellow townspeople. The second reading alters, not only the plot of the story, but also every aspect of the characters within it.
A more complete understanding of foreshadowing and character insight is
often expected upon repeated inspection of a work of superior fiction, but when
said work is completely altered by the resolution and an entirely new perspective becomes apparent this phenomena is called the Hindsight Perspective.
Some other examples of the Hindsight Perspective occur in the films The Usual
Suspects and Fight Club and in literary works including “Artificial Family,”
“A Rose for Emily,” and “Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge.”
