What is Foreshadowing?
Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story It is a tool used by authors to build suspense and keep readers engaged in the story. Foreshadowing can take the form of hints, indirect references, suggestions, and clues in dialogue, description, and plot points. These clues often foretell the climax and other important plot points of the story. By giving readers subtle clues, authors are able to create tension and anticipation as they move forward with their story.
Five Best Examples of Foreshadowing in Literature
1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding - In this classic novel, Golding uses foreshadowing to hint at the inevitable demise of the boys’ utopian society. Early on, the boys hunt a pig and one of them, Simon, states that “maybe…there’s a beast.” Here, Golding foreshadows the savage beast, or evil, that will eventually take over the boys’ society.
2. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - In this tragedy, Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to hint at the tragic ending of the lovers. When Romeo talks about his fear that something bad will come out of their marriage, he is unknowingly foreshadowing the events that will take place later in the story.
3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - In this classic novel, the protagonist Holden is constantly on watch for the “Phonies”, these are people that he believes are false and insincere. He also talks about his desire to “catch” people before they become "phony". This foreshadows his eventual downfall at the end of the novel.
4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - In this novel, Rochester hints at potential obstacles in his and Jane’s relationship. He warns her that: “[h]e may have to divide his fortune and expect to be cheated" and she should not “trust his future with me”. This serves as an ominous warning that something dark and sinister is looming over their relationship.
5. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - In this novel, Pip visits Miss Havisham’s estate and is warned by the butler not to stay for too long. Later, he learns the reason for this: Miss Havisham’s ghostly figure and her eccentric behavior. This foreshadows the sinister events to come later in the novel.