“A Visit to Grandmother” uses foreshadowing to help build tension ahead of the main conflict. Chig notices a change in his father’s expression as soon as he greets his grandmother. This subtle detail is a clue to the reader that Charles’s relationship with Eva is not easy. It sets the tone for the conflict and prepares the reader for what is to come. As the story progresses, this foreshadowing is fulfilled as Charles becomes increasingly agitated and eventually confronts his mother about his childhood resentment.

Charles’s scheme to visit home—attending a class reunion and suggesting “in a far too offhand way” to continue traveling south (54)—also foreshadows the family’s communication issues. Even though Charles feels compelled to see his family and seek a resolution, he cannot clearly communicate that desire to Chig. Poor communication litters the story—Charles sits sullenly in the living room during the visit, and Rose cannot say where GL is because he’s always leaving without notice—and Charles’s outburst at the end is the result of decades of miscommunication.

Juxtaposition is employed as a central characterization device in the story. Through the contrast of various opposing elements—such as urban versus rural, neglect versus love, light skin versus dark skin, and exceptional versus reckless behavior—William Melvin Kelley creates complex and nuanced portrayals of his characters and their relationships.