epilogue
concluding section / afterword / final speech
Noun
pl: epilogues
This term describes a concluding section that provides closure, often revealing the long-term fate of characters or offering a moral reflection on the preceding narrative. It functions as a bridge between the fictional world and the reality of the reader or audience, providing a sense of finality. In theatrical contexts, it often takes the form of a direct address to the audience, breaking the fourth wall to summarize the play's intent or request a favorable reception. It is the structural mirror to a prologue, serving as the final word before the work officially ends.