Use of Foreshadowing in The ItalianAnne Radcliffe incorporates many aspects of the Gothic into her novel, The Italian. In this book one can find an exciting exploration of an exotic culture, a story of family secrets, subtle hints of supernatural forces at work, and Gothic architecture in both the ruins and the prison of the Inquisition. However, perhaps the most important feature of the Gothic used in this novel is the element of suspense. Radcliffe creates suspense in The Italian through a chain of foreshadowed events that draw the reader deeper into the story. Many of the most obvious means of foreshadowing are found at the beginning of each chapter. By reading the quotes that Radcliffe uses to launch each chapter, the reader can understand more or less what the next pages will have in store. An example of such a quote can be found at the beginning of the first chapter: "What is this secret sin; this untold story, which art cannot extract, nor penance purify?" - Mysterious mother (5). From reading this quote you can already understand that the story contains a great family secret, and this secret could very well concern a mother or a maternal figure. It is also safe to assume that this secret was revealed in confession. This hypothesis can also be supported by the information revealed in the previous pages, in which the reader learns that the story he is reading is the written account of a confession made in a convent of the order of Black Penitents. But the secret is so great that not even penance can purify the guilty person. It's surprising how much this short introductory quote reveals, especially since it occurs so early in the novel. Radcliffe also reveals some aspects of a... middle of paper... a mother. A few pages later, Olivia discovers Ellena's identity (92-93). It is evident that she is deeply affected when she learns Ellena's full name. These instances support the idea that Olivia and Ellena are related, but the reader must wait until the end of the book to discover their relationship. In The Italian, Anne Radcliffe uses the technique of foreshadowing so that the reader can make accurate guesses. on the main points of the novel. However, Radcliffe is careful not to reveal too much information and only gives hints about what might happen later in the novel. This clever approach draws the reader in and keeps them interested in the story. When the reader finally finishes the novel, the suspenseful mystery that Radcliffe has created comes together and leaves the reader satisfied..