Literary notes about postscript (AI summary)
The term "postscript" has long served as a multifaceted literary device. In classic epistolary narratives and letters, authors often use it to add a reflective afterthought or to inject a subtle twist. For instance, in Chekhov’s work the postscript is noted not only as an addendum but also as a literary punctuation that shapes the context of the communication [1]. Alexandre Dumas repeatedly employs it in The Count of Monte Cristo to underscore moments of suspense or to draw attention to overlooked details, as seen when characters explicitly refer to “the postscript” to emphasize its significance [2], [3], [4]. Moreover, writers like Thackeray and Montgomery use postscripts to relay personal nuances or final observations that, in a way, extend the narrative beyond the main body of the letter [5], [6]. This technique, while sometimes used in a straightforward manner, also appears in a more structural or even humorous context—as with formal headings or technical references in texts like The Spectator or even modern user manuals [7], [8]—demonstrating the term’s evolving versatility in literature.