Literary Term

An event in which the essential nature of something – a person, a situation, an object – is suddenly understood in a new way; a sudden realization; an “ah ha” moment

In literature, an epiphany is a moment of realization, which generally changes a person’s motives, outlook, actions, and/or thinking. An epiphany may be triggered by a big or small event in a story.

In Romeo and Juliet, the feuding families (Montagues and Capulets) have an epiphany when they realize that their children have died for their foolish hatred toward one another.

What is Scout’s epiphany at the end of To Kill a Mockingbird?..... After Scout walks Boo Radley home, she stands on the Radley porch and admits, “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley front porch was enough.” *Write a paragraph analyzing Scout’s epiphany at the end of To Kill a Mockingbird