Cliffhanger

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Cliffhanger

Cliffhanger (pronounced: /ˈklɪfˌhæŋər/) is a term commonly used in narrative and storytelling that refers to a situation or event that leaves the audience in suspense or anticipation. The term is often used in literature, film, and television to describe a plot device where a story ends unresolved to draw the audience back for the next installment.

Etymology

The term 'cliffhanger' is believed to have originated from the serialized Victorian novel A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy. In this novel, one of the protagonists is left literally hanging off a cliff, creating a suspenseful ending to that installment of the story.

Related Terms

  • Suspense: A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
  • Plot twist: An unexpected development in a book, film, television programme, etc.
  • Serial (literature): A story or play appearing in regular installments.
  • Narrative hook: A literary technique in the opening of a story that "hooks" the reader's attention so that they will keep on reading.

Usage

In modern usage, a cliffhanger is a type of narrative hook used to keep the audience's interest. This is often done by ending an episode of a television show, a chapter in a book, or a scene in a movie with a suspenseful, unresolved situation. This encourages the audience to continue watching or reading to find out what happens next.

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