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Definition of Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a literary device in which authors hint at plot developments that don't actually occur until later in the story. Foreshadowing can be achieved directly or indirectly, by making... read full definition
Foreshadowing is a literary device in which authors hint at plot developments that don't actually occur until later in the story. Foreshadowing can be achieved... read full definition
Foreshadowing is a literary device in which authors hint at plot developments that don't actually occur until later in the... read full definition
Chapter 1
Explanation and Analysis—Island Rocks:
In Chapter 1, the boys find a rock while exploring the island, and they push it over to watch it fall into the jungle. The passage contains both foreshadowing and personification:
The rock was as large as a small motor car. “Heave!” Sway back and forth, catch the rhythm. “Heave!” Increase the swing of the pendulum, increase, increase, come up and bear against that point of furthest balance—increase—increase—“Heave!” The great rock loitered, poised on one toe, decided not to return, moved through the air, fell, struck, turned over, leapt droning through the air and smashed a deep hole in the canopy of the forest.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Skull-Like:
Early in Chapter 1, Golding uses personification, simile, and foreshadowing to describe Ralph's exploration of the island:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Then he leapt back on the terrace, pulled off his shirt, and stood there among the skull-like coconuts with green shadows from the palms and the forest sliding over his skin.
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Forest Fire:
During Chapter 2, after discovering Piggy's glasses can be used to spark a flame, the boys accidentally set a forest fire. The passage makes heavy use of figurative language:
Unlock with LitCharts A+One patch touched a tree trunk and scrambled up like a bright squirrel. The smoke increased, sifted, rolled outwards. The squirrel leapt on the wings of the wind and clung to another standing tree, eating downwards. Beneath the dark canopy of leaves and smoke the fire laid hold on the forest and began to gnaw. Acres of black and yellow smoke rolled steadily toward the sea. […] The flames, as though they were a kind of wild life, crept as a jaguar creeps on its belly toward a line of birch-like saplings that fledged an outcrop of the pink rock. They flapped at the first of the trees, and the branches grew a brief foliage of fire. The heart of flame leapt nimbly across the gap between the trees and then went swinging and flaring along the whole row of them.
Related Themes:
Chapter 5
Explanation and Analysis—Frightened of People:
In Chapter 5, the boys hold an assembly to discuss the things they should do to survive on the island, and eventually their discussion turns to rumors of a "beast" on the island—an instance of foreshadowing and irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+"You don’t really mean that we got to be frightened all the time of nothing? Life,” said Piggy expansively, “is scientific, that’s what it is. In a year or two when the war’s over they’ll be traveling to Mars and back. I know there isn’t no beast—not with claws and all that, I mean—but I know there isn’t no fear, either.” Piggy paused. “Unless—” Ralph moved restlessly. “Unless what?” “Unless we get frightened of people.” A sound, half-laugh, half-jeer, rose among the seated boys.
Related Themes:
Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Simon's Prediction:
Simon is a uniquely wise character, and he seems to understand things the other boys don't. In this prescient moment in Chapter 7, containing allusion and foreshadowing, he predicts Ralph's safe return:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“You’ll get back to where you came from.” Simon nodded as he spoke. […] Ralph was puzzled and searched Simon’s face for a clue. “It’s so big, I mean—” Simon nodded. “All the same. You’ll get back all right. I think so, anyway.” Some of the strain had gone from Ralph’s body. He glanced at the sea and then smiled bitterly at Simon. “Got a ship in your pocket?” Simon grinned and shook his head.
Related Themes:
Chapter 11
Explanation and Analysis—Island Rocks:
In Chapter 1, the boys find a rock while exploring the island, and they push it over to watch it fall into the jungle. The passage contains both foreshadowing and personification:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The rock was as large as a small motor car. “Heave!” Sway back and forth, catch the rhythm. “Heave!” Increase the swing of the pendulum, increase, increase, come up and bear against that point of furthest balance—increase—increase—“Heave!” The great rock loitered, poised on one toe, decided not to return, moved through the air, fell, struck, turned over, leapt droning through the air and smashed a deep hole in the canopy of the forest.
Related Themes:
Chapter 12
Explanation and Analysis—Forest Fire:
During Chapter 2, after discovering Piggy's glasses can be used to spark a flame, the boys accidentally set a forest fire. The passage makes heavy use of figurative language:
Unlock with LitCharts A+One patch touched a tree trunk and scrambled up like a bright squirrel. The smoke increased, sifted, rolled outwards. The squirrel leapt on the wings of the wind and clung to another standing tree, eating downwards. Beneath the dark canopy of leaves and smoke the fire laid hold on the forest and began to gnaw. Acres of black and yellow smoke rolled steadily toward the sea. […] The flames, as though they were a kind of wild life, crept as a jaguar creeps on its belly toward a line of birch-like saplings that fledged an outcrop of the pink rock. They flapped at the first of the trees, and the branches grew a brief foliage of fire. The heart of flame leapt nimbly across the gap between the trees and then went swinging and flaring along the whole row of them.
Related Themes:
