What Is Anachronism? | Definition & Examples
An anachronism is a person, thing, or event that is placed in a historical time where it does not belong. For example, a knight wearing a wristwatch in a movie set in the medieval era would be an anachronism. Αnachronisms can happen by mistake or be used intentionally to convey a message or add humor to a story.
Anachronisms can be found in books, paintings, movies, and other creative works.
What is anachronism?
An anachronism is a chronological inconsistency that occurs when objects, language, or people from different historical periods are mixed together. Anachronisms can manifest in various forms:
- Objects misplaced in time (e.g., a pair of sneakers in an eighteenth century period drama).
- Characters using language from a different era (e.g., using modern slang in a movie set in ancient Rome).
- Technology or practices shown in a time period they did not yet exist in or would have become outdated in (e.g., teenagers using a rotary phone instead of smartphones in 2023).
In literature and art, creators may deliberately use anachronisms as an artistic choice. Sometimes anachronisms can be accidental (i.e., due to oversight in historical representation).
Why anachronism matters
Anachronism matters because it can impact the authenticity and atmosphere of a story. Using modern objects like disposable coffee cups in fantasy, for instance, can distract the audience and pull them out of the story. Anachronism can also affect stories set in our world by ruining the atmosphere and credibility (e.g., through attitudes that are out of sync with the depicted time period).
On the other hand, historical accuracy might not be a priority in a particular story. Writers may deliberately choose to create an alternate version of the past; for example, they may choose not to replicate racist or sexist attitudes so as not to endorse them. In other cases, they may want to make historical content more relatable to contemporary audiences.
In short, anachronism can be a sign of creative freedom or a pitfall. Because it affects storytelling, understanding when it’s intentional and when it’s a mistake is important.
What are different types of anachronism
Anachronisms come in various types:
- Parachronism is when something is shown in a later time period than one would expect. It may be an unlikely or unusual inconsistency rather than an impossible one. For example, a character using a quill today is not entirely unlikely, but it would look peculiar.
- Prochronism is when something is shown earlier than it actually existed, making its existence in the setting impossible—for instance, depicting someone scrolling through their smartphone at a time before smartphones were invented.
- Behavioral or cultural anachronism can refer to anachronistic behaviors or cultural customs in general (e.g., modern behavior in an ancient setting) or to when people purposefully behave or dress according to norms of the past. Steampunk aesthetic, for example, blends together modern and industrial era elements, like wearing a corset or a monocle.
- Politically motivated anachronism involves the intentional blurring of distinctions between past and present or making something seem older than it really is, and it is often used in art and literature supporting political causes.
Anachronism examples
Movies often use anachronisms on purpose to link the past with the present.
The comic book series The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen incorporates intentional anachronisms as part of its storytelling and world-building.
Frequently asked questions about anachronism
- What is an example of anachronism in literature?
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An example of anachronism in literature is in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar.
In Act 2, Scene 1, Brutus says, “Peace! Count the clock.” Cassius responds, “The clock hath stricken three.” In 44 BC, when Julius Caesar was alive, mechanical clocks were not yet invented, so mentioning a clock in the play is an anachronism because it didn’t exist at that time.
- What is a parachronism?
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A parachronism is when something is shown in a later time period than one would expect. It may be an unlikely or unusual inconsistency rather than an impossible one. For example, a character using a quill today is not entirely unlikely, but it would look peculiar.