Final answer:
Charlie's trampling of the seedlings in Joe's garden is used as a literary device called foreshadowing, hinting at future events that force Joe to make decisions impacting character development and advancing the plot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage describes a scenario where Charlie's trampling of the seedlings in Joe's garden serves as a literary device known as foreshadowing. Foreshadowing is a technique used to hint at events that will occur later in the narrative. In this context, Charlie's action is not only a disruptive event but also a precursor to future decisions Joe must make, indicating that these decisions could have significant implications for the characters involved. An event like this in literature can set the stage for character development and move the plot forward, as it compels a character to react and thereby shapes the story's direction.