Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
In the second half of her novel, as she did in the first, Shelley incorporates foreshadowing quite skillfully to build suspense and allow the reader to infer what will happen later on in the story. For example, upon reading Paradise Lost, the creature vocalizes his desire for a female companion, an Eve of his own. This statement, coupled with the fact that Victor is the only individual capable of making beings similar to the creature, hints that the creature will request a companion of Victor later on. Furthermore, when Henry and Victor travel to England, the effect Henry has on Victor foreshadows his imminent demise. Henry helps Victor combat his loneliness and depression while also allowing him to once again enjoy the beauty of his surroundings. As such, Victor clings to Henry in an attempt "to protect him from the fancied rage of his destroyer," (Shelley 118). He knows that because Henry brings him joy, the creature will target him. However, by incorporating the phrase "his destroyer" in Victor's narrative about protecting Henry, Shelley utilizes diction to convey to her audience that Henry's fate has already been sealed. Finally, the most obvious instance of Shelley's foreshadowing lies in the creature promising Victor, " . . . I shall be with you on your wedding-night," (Shelley 123). Issuing this statement after having killed several of Victor's other loved ones and after witnessing Victor rip his future bride to shreds, the creature obviously intimates eventually killing Elizabeth. Shelley's ability to interestingly foreshadow future events without completely giving away what will happen adds appeal and suspense to her novel.
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