Final answer:
A flash forward in 'Winter Dreams' affects the story's plot and mood by creating suspense, developing characters, and foreshadowing future events, which heightens tension and reader engagement with the unfolding narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of a flash forward in a narrative, such as in lines 477-482 of 'Winter Dreams,' can have various effects on the plot and mood of a story. It provides the reader with a glimpse into the future, which can create suspense or help to develop the characters by showing the consequences of their actions or hinting at their eventual fates.
This interruption in the chronological flow of events allows the author to build tension and expectation, as the reader is left to wonder how the characters will reach that point in the story. The use of a flash forward typically contributes to the rising action, setting the stage for the climax and ultimately leading to the resolution.
In the context of 'Winter Dreams,' the flash forward adds depth to the narrative by serving as a foreshadowing device, revealing significant events that impact the protagonist's life and his relationships, thereby affecting the reader's understanding of the unfolding events.