An example of a "flashing arrow" is the repeated appearance of an object or idea in a narrative to signal its future significance.
In the context of storytelling, particularly in film, a "flashing arrow" is a technique used to draw the audience's attention to a specific detail, object, or concept that will become important later. It serves as a deliberate hint or foreshadowing, making the audience anticipate the role of that element. While the term "flashing arrow" might conjure images of literal arrows, it's a metaphor for anything that conspicuously stands out or is repeatedly shown to grab the viewer's focus.
An Example of Repetition as a Flashing Arrow
A specific and vivid example of repetition used as a form of flashing arrow is found in the film Natural Born Killers.
The Natural Born Killers Example
According to the reference provided:
- Film: Natural Born Killers
- Scene: A scene in which the protagonist stabs to death a young woman with a pencil.
- Technique: Repetition.
- The Flashing Arrow: The pencil itself.
- How it Works: The reference states that "the pencil shows up in nearly every cut scene before the girl's death." This repeated visual presence of the pencil, even in seemingly unrelated moments leading up to the violent act, serves as the "flashing arrow." It signals to the viewer that this ordinary object is significant and will play a crucial role later in the narrative, specifically in the girl's death.
This deliberate and frequent showcasing of the pencil elevates its importance from a mere prop to a crucial narrative element, effectively guiding the audience's attention towards it and building anticipation for its eventual use.
