The Significance of Using Anachronism in Literature: A Case Study of Joseph Heller's Novel God Knows
Khaoula Maarouf, Kouider Youcef, Nesrine Ammari
كلية الآداب واللغات-جامعة الشهيد حمة لخضر - الوادي · الجزائر
Anachronism is a literary device known as an error in chronology which contributes to the enrichment of the narrative in a particular way. This dissertation aims to examine the significance of anachronism in Joseph Heller's novel God Knows. Thus, the study provides the definition of anachronism, identifies its different types, and investigates its significance in God Knows. The current study adopted a descriptive analytical approach based on stylistics as a tool for examination and analysis, which added a new perspective for the meanings and themes by bridging the temporal gap. The analysis carried out in this research consisted of choosing excerpts from each chapter, identifying the anachronism, its type, and investigating its significance. We concluded that anachronism is a powerful tool when employed in any text; it contributed greatly to the linguistic enrichment of the novel through its integration of past and future events. Moreover, it combines events in an innovative way when used in any passage.