The Role Of Foreshadowing In 'Cornet At Night'

In the short story "Cornet at night" by Sinclair Ross foreshadowing plays a very important role in the piece of literature. Foreshadowing is the slight hint or clue that the author gives the reader to see how they can get the reader to imagine the vast amount of possibilities of what is to come in the future. In this story, foreshadowing is seen at many different times, but there are two instances where they are noted very strongly.

The first of which is mentioned when Tom’s mother foreshadows that whatever work that Toms father does on Sunday will be wasted. You see, Tom’s mother is a very religious woman who thinks that it is the absolute worst thing in the world to work on a Sunday. However Tom’s father, on the other hand, is a farmer

that believes that his farm comes first before God. In an argument Tom’s mother says, “I told you yesterday that in the long run it would cost you dear” (Ross 231). This quote gives a small hint to the reader. The reader, before this quote, can either believe that Tom’s father will succeed or will not. However, after this quote is said it guarantees that Tom’s father will lose all that he hopes to gain on that Sunday, and lo and behold in the end of the story Tom’s father ends up having to take Phillip back to the town. Now he will have to try and find a new man for the job. Tom’s father not only loses what he earns on Sunday, but he will also loose whatever he hoped to gain on the day that he had to take Phillip back.
The second instance where foreshadowing is seen is when Phillip is leaving. Phillip is a cornet player that has had no experience on a farm but was chosen by Tom to stook. Tom’s parents are both shocked and want him gone right away but decide instead to give him a chance. While Phillip is playing a march, Tom thinks to himself, “It said that life was worth the living and bright as morning shone ahead to show the way” (Ross 232). Now, this quote can be perceived in two ways, one of which is on the surface that this is a happy and lively song. The other can be that “the way” is the way back home for Phillip for not being able to survive on the farm. In the end, we find out that Phillip has failed to make it on the farm and must now indeed return home.
In these two instances of foreshadowing, we can see the effect that they have on the story. They affect the story in a certain way in which they nudge slightly at the reader telling them what is to come. Yet few of the readers pick up on it so in the end, it is all just one grand surprise. However foreshadowing is and absolutely needed characteristic in a great short story such as the “Cornet at night.”