Foreshadowing is a literary device used to hint at future events in a story, such as hinting at Peter's mistake in the given example, which builds suspense and prepares readers for what is going to happen.
The author most likely uses foreshadowing in a story to help the reader anticipate future plot developments. In the given context of this question, the correct option is D. help the reader anticipate Peter's mistake. This literary device is used to build suspense and prepare the audience for what is to come, without explicitly revealing future events. Foreshadowing often creates a tension and expectation in the narrative, aligns readers' attention to certain details, and enhances the storytelling experience. An example of this can be seen in classical literature, such as the warning from Tiresias to Creon in Antigone, which hints at the grim fate that awaits Creon's family unless he corrects his actions. In contemporary storytelling, foreshadowing can be used similarly to create connections between plot points and develop characters.