How does Steinbeck use foreshadowing in his novel, Of Mice and Men?

Firstly lets tackle understanding foreshadowment as a technique. Foreshadowing essential means to hint or relate an early part of the text to a later event, for example, in Of Mice and Men we learn early on that Lennie likes to pet mice and other small, soft creatures but tends to accidently kill them as he doesn't realise his own strength. We could then look at the later event of the death of Curley's wife and Lennie's puppy and make a link between the two. Perhaps Steinbeck was 'hinting' at what was to come by exposing, from the offset, Lennie's over-loving and unaware nature.

KG
Answered by Katie G. English tutor

5252 Views

See similar English GCSE tutors

Related English GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I analyse an unseen poem?


You are going to enter a creative writing competition. Your entry will be judged by a panel of people your own age. Write the opening part of a story about a place that is co-inhabited by humans and animals.


What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's speech in Macbeth?


Discuss attitudes towards masculinity in Macbeth.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning