The reference to what had happened father is an example of which literary term?

The phrase "reference to what had happened" is a bit vague. To identify the literary term, we need more context. Please provide the full sentence or passage where this phrase appears.

Here are some possibilities, depending on the context:

* Allusion: If the "what had happened" refers to a specific event, myth, historical figure, or literary work, it could be an allusion.

* Flashback: If the passage jumps back in time to describe the event that happened, it's a flashback.

* Foreshadowing: If the reference is meant to hint at something that will happen later in the story, it's foreshadowing.

* Suspense: If the reference is used to create tension and keep the reader guessing about what happened, it's creating suspense.

Once you provide the context, I can help you pinpoint the specific literary term.