Epiphany: The Great Moment of Realization

What is Epiphany?

Derived  from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “manifestation” or “appearance,” an Epiphany is a moment of sudden and great realization. It is a moment when something that was unclear or confusing suddenly becomes clear. Epiphanies may be spiritual, intellectual, emotional, or physical. They can be life-changing or simply a moment of clarity.

When do writers use Epiphany?

Writers use Epiphany when they want to convey an important  moment of sudden realization or insight that changes a character’s perspective, the, “Aw-haw!” moment.

Epiphany is often used to depict a character’s growth or development. In some cases, it may be used as the climax of a story, pushing the character into action and bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.

How to use Epiphany?

Begin by describing  a moment in a character’s life. For example, the person finds themselves in a life-threatening situation where s/he/they suddenly find themselves confronted with their own mortality.
Describe the scenario and the character as s/he/they come to terms with their current situation.
 Describe the moments your character realizes that s/he/they may die in their situation. When suddenly, almost out of the blue, that character realizes s/he/ they have walked away from the love of their life because at that time in their lives, s/he/they had been too paralyzed by the fear of commitment to move forward. This great moment of realization is the character’s moment of epiphany. 

Types of Epiphany

Spiritual Epiphany: Also known as a Joycean Epiphany, is a moment of sudden spiritual manifestation which offers insight into the divine or spiritual realm. A spiritual epiphany is a moment of great understanding and connection with something greater than that of a character’s self.
Intellectual Epiphany: These occur in moments of religious or scientific breakthrough, the moment a difficult concept is suddenly understood, or the moment of clarity that occurs when the solution to a problem is found. One of the most famous examples of an intellectual epiphany was Isaac Newton’s discovery that the force that made an apple fall and kept the moon in place were the same. This realization resulted in Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation.
Emotional Epiphany:  An emotional epiphany is a moment of self-realization which usually occurs after an intense emotional experience which leads to totally new attitudes and perceptions. These moments offer clarity to turbulent emotions and offer insight and understanding into a character’s feelings and emotions.The resulting change is often abrupt and unexpected.

Examples of Epiphany in Literature 📚

Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: After a series of misadventures, Holden has an epiphany which leads to the sudden realizations that he needs to grow up and take responsibility for his life.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: The moment of epiphany comes when Tom Robinson stands and displays his left arm. At this point in the novel, the reader realizes that Bob Ewell is the one who strangled and killed Mayella.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: After being publicly shamed, Hester Prynne realizes that her sins are not entirely her own – they are, in part, the result of others’ sins.

Examples of Epiphany in Children Books🧸

 In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: At the story reaches its climax, the children discover that Aslan, the lion, is the true king of Narnia and that he has come to save them from the White Witch. This is a powerful moment of realization for the children, as they now know they have been part of a much larger story than previously imagined.
 In Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: Wilbur has his moment of epiphany when he realizes that Charlotte has been protecting him from the farmer’s ax. The realization leads him to develop a newfound appreciation and respect for Charlotte’s friendship  and her selfless act of love.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: For the Little Prince, his epiphanic moment occurs when he realizes the most important things in life are not material possessions, but rather the relationships we have with others.

Examples of Epiphany in Songs 🎧

“Lose Yourself” by Eminem: The song expresses Eminem’s realization that he has been given an opportunity to better himself, is ready to forge his path forward, and that he can be successful if he throws himself into his music.
“The Scientist” by Coldplay: Inspired by Chris Martin’s failed relationships, this song is a reflection of his realization that he has been neglectful and that his relationship failures are largely his fault.
“Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey: Inspired by a conversation between Jon Cain and his father at a point in Cain’s life when he thought about quitting music. This song resulted from the realization that people believed in him and if he continued to believe in himself, he could be successful in his music career. 

Examples of Epiphany in Poetry ✍🏽

William Wordsworth’s “Daffodils”: In this poem, the epiphany is the poem itself when at the end, the reader realizes that minds are nourished and repaired by taking part in what appear to be trivial things.
Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”: In this poem, Frost reflects on the choices he has made in life and comes to the realization that while he may not have chosen the easiest path,  he did choose the right path for him and has no regrets.
Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”: Much like other poems, the poem is a reflection of the author’s own amazing realization. In “Song of Myself,” Whitman is explaining his epiphany to the reader. He has come to realize that he is but a small speck in a larger existence but he is grateful for what he has. He has come to understand that you can never go back; you can only move forward. and be greeted by death by the blessing of death at the end.

Examples of Epiphany in Movies 🎥

In film, a moment of epiphany is when a character has an intense, often emotional, moment of realization where everything suddenly becomes clear and easily understood. Suddenly, all of the pieces fall into place.

Soul (2020)

Other examples of epiphany in film include:

The Shawshank Redemption (1994): The moment Andy Dufresne realizes he can escape prison by crawling through a sewage pipe.
 The Sixth Sense (1999): The moment Malcolm Crowe’s sleeping wife drops his wedding band on the floor and he realizes that he has actually been dead the entire time he’s been working with Cole..

Epiphany in TV and Pop Culture 🎥

Angel (2001)

Examples of Epiphany in Advertising 📺

Apple’s “Think Different” Campaign: Apple’s iconic “Think Different” campaign was a powerful Epiphany moment for the company. The campaign was designed to inspire people to think differently and challenge the status quo. It was a powerful message that resonated with people and helped to propel Apple to the top of the tech industry.
 Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign: Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign was a powerful Epiphany moment for the company. The campaign was designed to inspire people to take action and push themselves to their limits. It was a powerful message that resonated with people and helped to propel Nike to the top of the sports industry.
McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” Campaign: McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign was a powerful Epiphany moment for the company. The campaign was designed to inspire people to enjoy life and have fun. It was a powerful message that resonated with people and helped to propel McDonald’s to the top of the fast food industry.

Common FAQs

What is Epiphany?

A sudden, often life-altering realization about the character’s self, those around her/him/them that leads to a sudden and uncharacteristic change in thought or actions.
A sudden, often life-altering realization about the character’s self, those around her/him/them that leads to a sudden and uncharacteristic change in thought or actions.

 What are the features of Epiphany?

The key features of an epiphany in literature are: a sudden, usually life-changing, realization, and a desire to or an uncharacteristic and noticeable change in belief, perception, or actions

Other related literary devices

 Flashback: A flashback is a literary device used to show a character’s past experiences or memories that are relevant to the present situation. It is often used to provide insight into a character’s motivations or to explain why they are making certain decisions.
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary device used to hint at future events or plot points. It is often used to create suspense or to give the reader a sense of what is to come.
 Symbolism: Symbolism is a literary device used to represent abstract ideas or concepts through the use of symbols. It is often used to convey a deeper meaning or to provide insight into a character’s thoughts and feelings.

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