Narrative techniques

Here, we focus on the narrative technique used in Emma Cleary’s short story “Lightbox”. The most important narrative technique used by the author is that of the plot twist. This technique is enhanced with the help of three other narrative tools: foreshadowing, first-person unreliable narrator, and red herring.

Plot twist

The plot twist implies that the story has an unexpected turn or ending. In this case, readers are lead to believe that the narrator...

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Foreshadowing elements

However, the author also drops numerous hints or foreshadowing elements that suggest things are not as they seem. The narrator and Elsie never talk, and she often seems to ignore him: “I flick through the stations as she dances, until I find something that matches her movements: ‘Happy Together’ is playing. (…) I want to tell her about my day, but she clears her plate and disappears into the bathroom.” (ll. 40-43)

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Unreliable narrator

Finally, the story becomes more intriguing and interesting because the author uses a first-person unreliable narrator,...

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