Foreshadowing is when hints about future plot developments are offered, often creating atmospheric tension. It is a common literary device used to build anticipation or prepare the reader for future events in the narrative. Examples from various texts showcase how foreshadowing and falling action contribute to the development of the story and characters.
Foreshadowing is a literary device that authors use to give hints about plot developments that will occur later in the narrative. The passages presented here allude to foreshadowing at different points in a story's structure. For instance, in the text snippet from Antigone, the character Tiresias issues a warning which foreshadows impending doom if a certain action is not taken. Likewise, in the extract that describes Wolfe walking away into a dull and ash-colored night, the narrative creates a mood that hints at a lost victory and a life trending towards inevitable tragedy, which can also be considered foreshadowing.
Falling action is observed after the peak of a story's climax when events start to wind down and the characters come away changed or wiser. This part of the story leads to the resolution and often includes reflective elements or a revelation that shapes the conclusion of the narrative. The passage where Goddard leaves readers with final thoughts or the scene where the tension is dissolved and the protagonist achieves or fails their goal both relate to the falling action.
In the excerpt titled 'Shadows on the Sage-Slope', Jane Withersteen's comparison of the growing sage-slope shadows to those encroaching on her life effectively foreshadows darker times ahead. Finally, the 'Blackout' reference at the end of a play signifies a stark shift in tone, and while not explicitly detailed in text, the atmosphere indicates a profound change, suggesting a transition into the afterlife, which is a classic example of foreshadowing through mood and atmospheric tension.