Assignment

Uses of techniques of foreshadowing in

Literature
Name
Sadia khalil
Class
BS ENGLISH (Literature)
Semester
4th semester (Evening)
Roll No.
591
Submit To.
Prof. Khalid Hassan
Govt. Municipal Degree College Faisalabad.

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 Definition of Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to

come later in the story. Foreshadowing often appears at the beginning of a story, or a
chapter, and helps the reader develop expectations about the coming events in a story.
There are various ways to create foreshadowing.

A writer may use character dialogues to hint at what may occur in the future. In addition,
any event or action in the story may throw a hint to the readers about future events or
actions. Even a title of a work or a chapter title can act as a clue that suggests what is
going to happen. Foreshadowing in fiction creates anatmosphere of suspense in a
story, so that the readers are interested to know more.
  Foreshadowing Examples in Literature

Example #1: Romeo and Juliet (By Robert Francis)

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is rich with foreshadowing example,

“Life were better ended by their hate,

Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love”

In the balcony scene, Juliet is concerned about Romeo’s safety as she fears her
kinsmen may catch him. Romeo says, in the above lines, that he would rather have her
love and die sooner, than not obtain her love and die later. Eventually, he gets her love
and dies for her love, too.

Example #2 : Of Mice and Men (By John Steinbeck)

In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, George killing Candy’s dog foreshadows
George killing Lennie, because Lennie is identical to the dog. Even the nature of the
death of the dog was the same as Lennie’s, as both were shot in the back of the head.
He chooses to kill Lennie himself in order to save him from being killed by a stranger.

 Types of Foreshadowing;

 There are many different techniques by which foreshadowing is

employed. It can be used directly, indirectly, by prophecy, narrative,
presence, and through symbolism.

a. Foreshadowing – Direct
Hinting at an outcome or event by openly (directly) suggesting what could
happen.

b. Foreshadowing – Indirect (subtle)

Hinting at an outcome or event by leaving subtle (indirect) clues to the
plotline.
c. Foreshadowing by -- Prophecy
A prophecy foreshadows a crucial event without revealing the details on how it
will occur. In storytelling, as a general rule, a prophecy always comes true in
one way or another, which makes it a very effective foreshadowing tool. Some
of the most famous uses of foreshadowing through prophecy can be found in
the Bible.

d. Foreshadowing through -- Symbolism

This uses minor or insignificant things as symbols that foreshadow something
that will happen. For example, a crow is often an omen of death, thus, the
appearance of a crow could foreshadow a character’s demise.

e. Foreshadowing through – Narrative

The narrator just tells you the hint, at the end there are great people are going
to die. There is no other explanation in which circumstances they are going to
die? Why, where and whom they are going to die. These things remain hidden
or remain suspense.

Example;

One example of figurative language that was in, "The Rape of the Lock," by Alexander Pope was
foreshadowing.  Belinda’s guardian Sylph spun a dream into her head to warn her of what is to
come,   “This to disclose is all thy guardian can: Beware of all, but most beware of Man”.
Belinda was told to be careful and cautious today for something shall happen to her. He tells that
event is there but he doesn’t tells the cause of that event, where and why it is going to happen.
All these things remain hidden that create suspense.

f. Foreshadowing through – Prophecy

It is a technique which means prediction or something which is told in advance, there is

hint about event or about anything.
Example;

When looking at Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth's death is foreshadowed in the

witches' prophecy. This is symbolic of the Elizabethan belief of fate and divine rights
and, also, how Macbeth's downfall is unavoidable because of his Machiavelli nature.

g. Presence;

Before handsome coming events mystery is pointed out. Presence is also met for the
audience. Audience know that coming mystery is happened next. What is cause of
mystery? Why it is going to happen? And where? It remains unknown. It is presence of
foreshadowing.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, foreshadowing is a very valuable tool in storytelling. Since it is a

technique that can be used to instill almost any feeling in the audience—humor, tension,
fear, anticipation—its use is almost always essential in the success of a story. Lastly, it
gives the audience clues to the future without wholly revealing the plotline, which, in
turn, encourages them to stick with the story and follow it until the end.

°°The End°°