Metalepsis

Metalepsis refers to a way of creating meaning by moving across levels of reference, narration, or conceptual space. Instead of stating something directly, a text evokes a related idea that leads the reader to a deeper or broader meaning. This can occur when a small detail points to a larger story, when cause and effect are compressed, or when boundaries between narrative levels are crossed. Metalepsis relies on shared knowledge and inference, inviting readers to connect what is said with what is implied rather than explicitly expressed.