Foreshadowing

There are several other literary devices that pop up at various times in the story. One of the most prevalent ones is foreshadowing which frequently presents clues of something that will happen later in the novel. Some examples of foreshadowing include:
1.) The incident with Office Delinko is foreshadowing in that it prepares us for the people who are trying to save the owls who live in burrows on the site of yet another pancake house.
2.) The owners of Mother Paula’s are depicted as the villains of the story. They only care about the money they’re making and they foreshadow a coming battle over the owls.
3.) In spite of the damage to the squad car that Delinko allowed to happen, he shows he’s a compassionate man in the way he treats the owls. This foreshadows that he will be perhaps be on the side of the birds when their habitat is threatened.
4.) Roy’s bus suspension is lifted, because it is unfair that he is being punished while Dana is not. Roy figures that tomorrow is as good as any day to face his bully problems. This foreshadows yet another confrontation with Dana.

Irony

Another element that is important to note is irony - when something happens, or is seen, or is heard that we may know, but the characters do not, or that appears opposite of what is expected. Some examples of irony include:
1.) A construction foreman named Curly who, in spite of his humorous name (he’s as bald as a cue ball), is cranky and unsmiling.
2.) Garrett is no better than a D student, but is very popular, because he cuts up in class. He is known as the “King of Farts,” because he can actually fart out the first line of the Pledge of Allegiance. His mother, ironically, is the Guidance Counselor for Trace Middle School.
3.) Dana slaps Roy around three times and works it so the bus driver sees nothing. It seems like it’s going to get worse when suddenly, Dana sits up and slumps sourly against the bus window. A kid from the last bus stop has bravely chosen to sit right beside him – it’s Beatrice, the tough girl who had once threatened him about looking for her brother.
4.) Beatrice bolts away with her brother slung over her shoulders to escape the cops so Roy follows. Five minutes later, they are resting under a shade tree in someone’s yard where ironically, tough Beatrice turns to Roy and asks him what they are going to do.
5.) Roy gets up to wander around the hospital after he and Beatrice bring Mullet Fingers for help. He’s rather wander than watch patients brought in by ambulance. The boy to whom everyone now looks for help is unable to look at blood and suffering.
6.) Delinko is impressed with how pretty Kinmberly Lou Dixon is, but is put off with her rough voice and somewhat condescending manner. It’s ironic that beauty has a sordid side.

Motifs

Another literary device used by the author is a motif. This device allows the author to run an important idea throughout the story by using images to create the thought for the reader. There is one motif used in Hoot:
1.) Bildungsroman which is a motif whereby a young boy grows, matures, and comes of age. The reader sees this in the following ways: Roy searches for the reason why a boy his age would be barefoot, living in the woods, and not going to school; he has to find a way to deal with a bully that is mature and effective; he must make choices that could have serious repercussions; he had to recognize that he owes his parents respect, because they have earned it; and he must accept that life is all about change and how we adapt to it.