Anachronism
Literary term · say it uh-NAK-ruh-niz-um
An anachronism is something that appears in a story outside its proper historical time. It might be an object, expression, or custom that does not fit the period in which the action takes place.
Two ways anachronism appears
A misplaced historical detail
An object or practice appears in a period when it did not yet exist. A small detail can reveal a gap between the story’s setting and historical fact.
In Julius Caesar, a clock strikes during the conspirators’ meeting. Ancient Rome did not have the kind of striking clock the scene suggests.
In Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
A deliberate clash of periods
Things from different centuries appear together openly. The clash can bring humor or invite comparisons between societies.
In A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Hank Morgan introduces telephone lines into Arthur’s Britain. Modern technology sits alongside knights and castles.
In A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
How to spot anachronism
- Identify the historical period of the story.
- Look for objects, words, or customs that seem out of place.
- Check whether those details existed in that time and place.
Is an anachronism always a mistake?
An anachronism is not always a mistake. Some stories openly mix periods for humor, contrast, or social criticism. In others, an out-of-place detail may be an oversight, though the detail alone does not prove whether it was intentional.
What is the difference between an anachronism and a flashback?
An anachronism places a detail in the wrong historical period, while a flashback moves the story to an earlier event. A flashback changes when the action happens; it does not necessarily put anything outside its proper time.
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