Foreshadowing facts for kids

In this Arthur Rackham illustration, the Rhinemaidens warn Siegfried of a curse. This hints at future problems in the story.

Foreshadowing is a cool trick authors use in stories. It's when a writer gives you hints or clues about what's going to happen later. Think of it like a sneak peek into the future of the story! These hints can make you excited or worried about what's coming next.

Why Authors Use Foreshadowing

Authors use foreshadowing for a few reasons.

• It can build suspense and make the story more exciting.
• It helps readers understand why certain things happen later.
• It can make big events feel more natural, not just random.
• Sometimes, it prepares you for sad or surprising moments.

Examples of Foreshadowing in Stories

Foreshadowing can show up in many ways. It might be a character's dream, a strange sound, or even a small object that appears early on.

Foreshadowing in Of Mice and Men

A famous example of foreshadowing is in the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

• In the story, a character named Lennie is very strong but doesn't always know his own strength.
• Early in the book, Lennie accidentally hurts a mouse. This is a small hint.
• Later, he accidentally hurts a puppy. This is another, stronger hint.
• These small accidents foreshadow a much bigger, sadder event that happens later in the story.

The Story of Lennie

The book also shows another type of foreshadowing.

• An old dog in the story belongs to a character named Candy.
• This dog is old and sick, and another character, Carlson, decides to shoot it.
• Candy feels sad and later says he wishes he had shot his dog himself. He says, "I ought to of shot that dog myself."
• This event hints at a difficult choice that another character, George, will have to make later about Lennie. George chooses to help Lennie avoid a worse fate by doing it himself, just like Candy wished he had done for his dog.

See also

In Spanish: Presagio (figura literaria) para niños