Which device is used in literature to create expectation or to set up an explanation of later developments?

Foreshadowing is a literary device employed by authors to give hints or clues about events that will occur later in the narrative. This technique builds anticipation in the reader and creates a sense of suspense, as it allows them to infer possible outcomes based on the information provided earlier in the text. For example, if a character finds a mysterious object early in a story that later proves to be crucial to the plot, that initial hint sets up an expectation for the reader regarding its significance in future developments.

In contrast, other options serve different narrative purposes. Flashback provides background information by revisiting past events, climax refers to the turning point or moment of greatest intensity in the story, and theme represents the underlying message or main idea of the work. Each of these elements contributes to the narrative but does not primarily function to create expectation in the same way foreshadowing does.