Published October 17, 2025 | Version v1
Journal article Open

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PAST SKIMMING/MATCHING ENDINGS

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Tashkent University of Applied Sciences, Tashkent, 100149, Republic of Uzbekistan

Description

This article explores how the theme of the past plays a vital role in literature and how it can be analyzed effectively using two reading strategies: skimming and matching endings. The past is not only a backdrop but a driving force in many stories, shaping characters, guiding decisions, and determining outcomes. Through the techniques of skimming and matching endings, readers can better understand how authors use the past to build meaning, develop characters, and deliver impactful conclusions. These strategies also help readers uncover deeper patterns that reveal how past experiences continue to influence the present and future within a narrative.

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References

  • Hosseini, K. (2003). The Kite Runner. Riverhead Books. This novel exemplifies how a character's past mistake can drive the plot and character development. The protagonist's journey towards redemption is deeply influenced by his past. ds Dickens, C. (1843). A Christmas Carol. Chapman & Hall. Dickens' classic shows how the protagonist, Scrooge, confronts his past to change his future, using themes of reflection, guilt, and personal transformation. Steinbeck, J. (1937). Of Mice and Men. Covici Friede. Steinbeck's novel uses past promises and mistakes to shape the final, tragic decision of the protagonist. The past is central to the emotional weight of the ending. McEwan, I. (2001). Atonement. Doubleday. This novel focuses on the consequences of a past mistake and how the protagonist's journey is shaped by her attempt to atone for her actions. Faulkner, W. (1951). Requiem for a Nun. Random House. Faulkner's works often deal with the weight of the past and how the present is shaped by previous actions, identity, and legacy. Salinger, J. D. (1951). The Catcher in the Rye. Little, Brown and Company. Holden Caulfield's memories of his past, particularly his brother's death, influence his emotional state and actions throughout the novel. Tolkien, J. R. R. (1954). The Lord of the Rings. George Allen & Unwin. In Tolkien's epic, the past of Middle Earth plays a key role in shaping the present journey of the protagonists. The return to significant locations and the legacy of past events influence the resolution of the plot. Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons. Gatsby's obsession with the past and his desire to reclaim it is central to his character, illustrating how the past shapes the story's outcome. Eagleton, T. (2008). How to Read Literature. Yale University Press. This book provides theoretical insights into how past events, symbols, and memory play significant roles in literature. Gardner, R. C., & Lambert, W. E. (1972). Attitudes and Motivation in Second-Language Learning. Newbury House Publishers.