Foreshadowing In “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck uses foreshadowing through out the story of “Of Mice and Guy” to prepare the reader for the last scene. Foreshadowing is the composition of layered tips or ideas about what might occur in the future of the story. Early in the story, these lines or occasions recommend a wide variety of possibilities to the audience. However as the story advances, the range narrows. In order for the effect of foreshadowing to be efficient, the audience has to be both amazed by the climax of the story and discover it logical. The reasoning originates from foreshadowing. Steinbeck uses foreshadowing in the course of “Of Mice and Men” by pulling together past events in the story, to build to the ending impact and general significance and result of the last scene.
In the very first chapters, it is evident that Lennie is a basic minded guy who likes to pet things that are soft and fragile. George and Lennie are traveling through to the farm for work. They needed to get away from the town they were formerly at due to the fact that Lennie had an occurrence with one of the females in the town. He was a rather big, frightening fellow. He went up to a young females due to the fact that the charm of her dressed marveled him. Just as he made with mice, he demanded touching it. That is all. Due to the fact that of her frightened screams, he grabbed onto the dress and did not let go out of fear and panic. This led him into much problem and the townspeople to go after him. George took Lennie and they got away the town. This is foreshadowing to the ending scene due to the fact that as soon as again, Lennie just had to have a touch and when again, led him to trouble that even George could not repair.
When Carlson insisted on killing Candy’s old worn dog friend, it was foreshadowing to the final scene in which all of the men insisted on searching and killing Lennie. Although Candy deep down knew that his dog was beyond his years and was suffering day to day, it was hard for him to accept it and let go. His dog was his only true friend. The same is true about Lennie and George’s relationship. Although George knows what Lennie has done is wrong, and that if he were to remain around or alive that he would just suffer more with his conscience and the other men searching for him. Candy feels that he should have been the one to take his best friend out of the world in which he played such a great part in. This is foreshadowing to the time that George is faced with the same decision. George feels it is his job and right to have the choice to be the one to kill Lennie. George kills him quickly and painlessly, without the suffering that the other men wished to cast upon him.
Steinbeck uses foreshadowing in the course of “Of Mice and Men” by pulling together past events in the story, to build to the ending impact and overall importance and effect of the final scene. At the beginning, Lennie gets in the middle of mass confusion when he approaches a woman and tries to stroke her soft dress. George then collected Lennie and they both escaped town. This is foreshadowing to the ending scene because once again, Lennie just had to have a touch and once again, led him to trouble that even George could not fix. Another example of foreshadowing is when Carlson kills Candy’s dog who was past his time. Candy said he should have been the one to do it. This foreshadows George’s decision with Lennie. Although he knows he needs to do it, it is just to painful.