Ashton Chekhov, one of Russia's most cherished storytellers, once said that "if there is a
             gun hanging on the wall in the first act, it must fire in the last" (Journal of Jessajune). Indeed, his
             observation holds the true notion of foreshadowing. This literary device is utilized by the author
             to provide clues or hints as to what is going to happen later in the story. In John Steinbeck's Of
             Mice and Men, foreshadowing is used in order to prepare the reader for the tragedy of a typical
             dream during the Great Depression. Lennie's fatal encounter with Curley's wife is by Lennie's
             interest in petting soft things and his behavior in Weed, the choice that George makes to murder
             his dearest friend is foreshadowed by Candy's regret for not killing his own dog, and all the
             trouble that will take place on the new ranch is foreshadowed by George telling Lennie to hide in
             the brush if something bad happens (SparkNotes). Steinbeck ties the events of the novel
             together by the use of foreshadowing.
             As the novel progresses, many of the ranch-hands begin to complain about Candy's dog.
             Carlson can't stand the old mut and exhorts Candy to shoot the animal. Carlson claims that the
             "stink hangs around even after he's gone."(Steinbeck, 44). Candy replies that he has raised the
             dog since it was a puppy, and couldn't go through with it. Slim suggests that it would be putting
             a hurting animal out of its anguish. Carlson offers to shoot the old mut in the back of the head,
             and Candy unwillingly agrees. The shot is heard and Candy, unable to view this horrific act, faces
             the wall. Foreshadowing appears as Candy states that he "ought to of shot that dog himself and
             let no stranger shoot his dog" (Steinbeck, 62). George uses Curley's reasoning and uses this logic
             ...