Mulatto
How does the author use foreshadowing in Mulatto?
![](https://d22o6al7s0pvzr.cloudfront.net/images/bookrags/qa/avatars/School/Stack_of_Books.png)
Several clues in the story foreshadow or predict, Robert's murder of Norwood and Robert's own suicide. Throughout the play the other characters, both African American and white talk about the bitter end that Robert will come to if he keeps on trying to act like a white man. From the very beginning, Robert's behavior is associated with his death. When Norwood hears from Sam that Robert has been using the front door of the Big House like a white man, Norwood says, "Let me catch him and I'll break his young neck for him." When Higgins comes to visit Norwood, he tells him about Robert's behavior at the post office, and warns Norwood that Robert might have problems in town in the future. Higgins says, "It might not be safe for him around there—today, nor no other time."' Cora notes the impending danger to Robert, when she is talking to William. Cora says, "Colonel Tom has to take him in hand, or these white folks'll kill him around here." In addition to the characters' expectations about Robert's death, Hughes gives the audience other clues, such as Cora's prophetic dream. Cora says to William, "I had a bad dream last night, too, and I looked out and seed de moon all red with blood." These clues, as well as the introduction of props like Norwood's pistol all increasingly indicate the murder of Norwood and Robert's resulting suicide.