What Is an Epilogue? Definition, Purpose, and Examples

Have you ever finished reading a novel and felt there were some pieces missing, or that you didn’t get the closure you were expecting?

It could be that the final chapter didn’t do a very good job of tying things up. Or, perhaps an epilogue could have been used to add a finishing touch.

What Is an Epilogue?

As you might have inferred, an epilogue is the opposite of a prologue, in that it comes at the end of the book, rather than the front.

An epilogue is the final piece in the story’s puzzle, and serves as a final chapter to provide closure and tie up loose ends. Though still considered part of the main story, an epilogue might reveal what’s happening in the characters’ lives several months or years down the line.

Though more common in fiction, you may also encounter epilogues in works of nonfiction, especially forms of creative nonfiction, such as memoirs.

Epilogue Examples

The following are examples of effective epilogues from both fiction and nonfiction.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

In the epilogue of Mockingjay, the final installment in Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games series, readers learn that Katniss and Peeta are parents to two children. Katniss lives in constant fear that her family’s safety could be taken away at any moment, but to survive those fears, she plays a game in which she thinks of every act of goodness she has seen. While the traumas of their past are still evident, this epilogue concludes the series on a hopeful note.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The epilogue to this final installment in the Harry Potter series reveals what the lives of the lead characters look like 19 years after Voldemort’s death. Harry and Ginny have three kids, while Ron and Hermione are married with two children, The four friends are sending their children off to Hogwarts. Harry notes that his scar has not hurt in 19 years, and that “all is well.”

On All Fronts by Clarissa Ward

This memoir is an example of a nonfiction work that features an effective memoir. Ward’s book details the adventures and challenges of being a war correspondent, often in a narrative style, as she takes readers with her behind front lines, where she narrowly evades bombings and visits rebel-held hospitals. The epilogue reveals how her outlook on life has changed since giving birth to her first child, but she has not lost the passion or the ability to do what she says is her life’s calling.

What Is the Difference Between Epilogue and Afterword?

The epilogue can be considered the final chapter of your narrative; it’s essentially part of the story.

An afterword, on the other hand, is separate. It usually discusses the making of the book, or addresses changes, such as revised editions that were released years after the original publication. Afterwords are more common in works of nonfiction.

Is an Epilogue Considered a Chapter?

Though not labeled as a numbered “chapter,” the epilogue can be considered the final chapter of your book.

Because the epilogue is often set in the near or distant future, labeling it as the “epilogue” can help readers understand that they are transitioning to a slightly different setting, where they’ll learn the final outcome of the story’s events.

What Is the Purpose of an Epilogue?

Epilogues are not necessary for most novels. However, if you want to reveal the fates of your characters and where they stand in the future, an epilogue can serve as a good transition and vehicle for bringing that information to readers.

Epilogues can also help you set the stage for eventual sequels, as well as reiterate the story’s main message or theme.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• What Is a Prologue? Definition, Tips, and Examples
• What Is a Denouement? How to Tie Up Your Story’s Loose Ends
• How to Write a Conclusion: Tips and Examples for a Strong Final Word
• How to Write a Foreword: Who to Ask and What to Include

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