Help me figure out this storytelling mechanic?

[PlentySwag]

Hello Folks

I'm looking for the name of a storytelling mechanic, and possibly some examples from published literature with just this mechanic. I've checked around the net, but haven't been very successful. I'd be very greatful if you could help! Thoughts?


(KEY: differences bolded, repetition underlined)

Example:

Set up: Two soldiers (one blonde and one brown of hair) are burning a town. The story follows their discourse. (In this way: - blonde soldier: "bla bla".. brown haired soldier: "bla blu") Just when the blonde soldier is about to reveal something important in their discussion, the narrative switches to something like:

If a passerby had watched the burning town from the top of a nearby hill, he would have observed two soldiers, one blonde and the other brown of hair, the soldier with the brown hair looked disturbed at what the blonde one was saying, but, of course, nobody stood on a nearby hill watching them.

Then cut back to dialogue after the crucial piece of information from the blonde soldier has been revealed (through the device italic'd above), now it's the brown haired soldier's turn to speak. The discussion starts off innocent (brown haired soldier: "bla bla".. blonde soldier: "bla blu"), but then just when the brown haired soldier's about to say something important, cut to the same device as in italics above, with a slightly different middle part.

If a passerby had watched the burning town from the top of a nearby hill, he would have observed two soldiers, one blonde and the other brown of hair, the blonde one throwing down his sword at the words of the brown haired soldier, but, of course, nobody stood on a nearby hill watching them.

Then rinse and repeat at least two more times.

Here's how I figure it:

Effect: We are aware that something important is being revealed in the discussion that we have been following for most of the time, but are left in the dark as to exactly what has been said, due to the switch in narrative just when these important bits of dialogue are being spoken.
Use: Build up excitement / tension


However, I just can't figure out how to name the mechanics behind this type of storytelling. Far as I can figure, it's a form of repetition, with an unknown revelation sandwiched between repetitions. I just don't get it at all. What's this kind of storytelling mechanic called, and, if you can, where and how is it most often used?

Thank you so much for your help, I'm stumped! :p

[MystyrMystyry]

Well it's certainly not used very often. It sounds like it came from The Good Soldier Svejk, or something else with it's own distinction of exploring new techniques for different effects.

As such, looking for a ready-made literary expression is pointless. Maybe it's time to contribute to the vocabulary.

I remember watching a sitcom once and noticing that it relied for its plot on a device I came to simply call 'the mix-up' because the characters were all talking at cross-purposes (say someone confides to a workmate that they've got the hots for a girl in the cafeteria, but by not saying their name the other thinks it's a different girl). It was a handy phrase as I also noticed it being used a lot by other sitcoms soon after - it hadn't yet dawned on me that television writers copied each other.

Just call it the 'cut-away' if you need to.

[PlentySwag]

Well it's certainly not used very often. It sounds like it came from The Good Soldier Svejk, or something else with it's own distinction of exploring new techniques for different effects.

As such, looking for a ready-made literary expression is pointless. Maybe it's time to contribute to the vocabulary.

I remember watching a sitcom once and noticing that it relied for its plot on a device I came to simply call 'the mix-up' because the characters were all talking at cross-purposes (say someone confides to a workmate that they've got the hots for a girl in the cafeteria, but by not saying their name the other thinks it's a different girl). It was a handy phrase as I also noticed it being used a lot by other sitcoms soon after - it hadn't yet dawned on me that television writers copied each other.

Just call it the 'cut-away' if you need to.

Hey there, and thanks for replying.

I was under the impression that the technique used in my example was an established technique, thanks for pointing out that it's not, that helps (made up the entire example to illustrate the technique in a simpler way than it was portreyed in the book I'm reading). In hindsight, the fact it's more of an experimental technique does make sense, the author does use many different types of unconventional narrative / jumps around a lot, so I'll put it off as an episode of slipstream-ness and move on. ;.)

Don't need to call it anything, isn't for an assignment, just my own curiosity.