Essay Questions

What is the first example of foreshadowing in the novel?

Foreshadowing is a literary device by which the author plants a seed early in the story about something that will happen later. This novel utilizes foreshadowing to a much greater degree than many others. In fact, it ranks among the most significant uses of literary devices found in the book. The earliest engagement is also probably the most intense example. The foreshadowing commences symbolically with Susan looking through a window out into the foggy parking lot when without warning a lost bird crashes into the glass and falls to the ground dead. Dead birds have long been symbolic omen of bad tidings. As Susan sits there overcome with feelings of sadness stimulated by the bird but which quickly expands to become what the narrator describes as an “irrational” but intensely felt ambiguous emotion toward the entire world. At this point, she hears a whisper behind from Jeff Garrett, “That Griffin’s the sort of guy you’d like to kill” that becomes an exclamation point to the foreshadowing of doom.

What are some other examples of foreshadowing and how do they differ in type?

The primary literary device in the above example is symbolism as expressed in immediate connection between the bird lost in the fog flying into the glass, Susan’s overwrought emotional response, and the whispered opinion from behind her that is structured to draw a parallel with arriving from misty uncertainty of the fog. A few chapters down the road, irony will fuel the foreshadowing as Susan thinks to herself that she will never “be as happy as I am right now.” This will turn out to be true, but in neither the way nor for the reasons she assumes. Standing in stark contrast is the lack of irony expressed by the wife of Mr. Griffin as he heads off to work. There is no symbolism here, either, but it is an example of supernatural psychic ability to sense something truly bad is going to happen without knowing enough details to stop it. All she really knows is “Something is wrong” and “something terrible” is going to happen.

What is gained from having hints about future events in the novel planted with foreshadowing?

One way of looking at foreshadowing is that it is a very subtle sort of spoiler. The reader may not know the details of what is coming, but foreshadowing can give a general idea of the direction the story is headed. One may well wonder what the point of this would be. Although not applicable in every case, this particular novel tweaks the point of foreshadowing since an actual spoiler is right there in the title. Before reading a single word, one can fairly guess that Mr. Griffin is going to die. The use of foreshadowing in this specific case is directed toward primary toward expanding the depth of characterization. Susan’s emotional response to the bird incident reveals her to be far more sensitive than the other characters. Likewise, the dismissal Jeff Garrett’s hateful assertion of proper justice is revelatory about the danger of dismissing those who constantly make verbal threats on the assumption that they never actually go through with their malevolent desires. The scene between Mr. Griffin and his wife begins as a snapshot of intimacy which provides a glimpse into a side of the teacher that his students never see but ends up as a portrait of the deep emotional bond between a husband and wife which serves to intensify the tragic dimension of what is to come.