Analepsis (more commonly known as "flashback") occurs whenever a writer halts the main narrative to describe an earlier event. In "Neighbour Rosicky," flashbacks mostly take the form of memories, as Rosicky thinks back over his life. On a basic level, this simply allows Cather to develop characters and ideas more fully than a strictly linear narrative would allow; Rosicky's memories of New York City and London, for instance, provide opportunities for reflection on the differences between the city and the country. However, it is also thematically fitting that Cather fleshes out Rosicky's past so fully, since "Neighbour Rosicky" is in large part a story about what constitutes a worthwhile life. In other words, anecdotes like Rosicky's story of the Lifschnitz's Christmas goose not only provide readers with insight into Rosicky's character, but also echo Doctor Burleigh's conclusion that Rosicky's life was "complete and beautiful" by helping to create a narrative that feels complete.

Dialect—ethnic, regional, or class-based differences in speech—is one of the tools Cather uses to develop characters in "Neighbour Rosicky." In particular, Cather uses speech patterns to establish a contrast between the older and younger generations. Anton and