foreshadow

Foreshadowing is a narrative technique in which elements of a story hint at events that will occur later. By sowing clues early, authors invite readers to anticipate outcomes and to reconsider what they have read as the plot unfolds. Foreshadowing can be explicit or subtle, and it often relies on patterns, symbols, or recurring motifs rather than direct statements.

Common methods include dialogue that hints at a future decision, descriptive language that evokes a mood associated with later events, or symbolic objects and settings that acquire meaning as the story progresses. Visual cues in film and stage directions in drama can perform the same function, guiding audience expectations without revealing specifics. A related principle is Chekhov's gun, the idea that objects introduced in a scene should become relevant later. Foreshadowing may be straightforward, giving a clear hint, or it may be indirect, requiring readers to infer connections from context and tone.

The purpose of foreshadowing is to create anticipation, reinforce thematic echoes, and enhance narrative cohesion. When done well, it allows for reader satisfaction on revisiting the text, as later events feel deserved rather than arbitrary. Poorly executed foreshadowing, by contrast, can seem contrived or misleading if the clues do not align with the outcome.

Foreshadowing appears across genres, including literature, cinema, and theater. It remains a fundamental tool for pacing, suspense, and thematic development, shaping how audiences interpret prior scenes in light of later revelations. In scholarly terms, foreshadow is the verb form describing the act, while foreshadowing refers to the technique itself.