Tom frequently using the fire escape foreshadows his desire to escape his home for adventure and freedom like his father. The image of the sailing vessel with the Jolly Roger foreshadows Tom leaving his family. Amanda describes the moon as a "little silver slipper" which is a simile that also hints at a well-known story.

1. ForeshadowingAn example of foreshadowing is Tom’s frequent exits through the fire escape. “these huge buildings are always burning with the slow and implacable fires of human desperation…”It could obviously mean that Tom desperately wishes to escape his home in search of adventure and freedom, much like his father.----------Another example of foreshadowing is: [Image on screen: The sailing vessel with the Jolly Roger again.]

2. Foreshadowing Cont’dThe quote about the sailing vessel foreshadows Tom’s apparent future after he left his family at the end of Scene 7.----------Another literary device that is utilized is simile. In Scene 5, Amanda describes the moon as a “little silver slipper.” Does a “little silver slipper” remind you of a certain story we all know?