The literary device that  most likely represent the above statement is (D)Foreshadowing
Explanation:
Foreshadowing is a literary device using which the author  gives an advance hint of what is going to happen  later in the story.Gives a hint about the Climax of the story
Foreshadowing is the literary device used in the story to create suspense
In the above description the Curley's wife is  described to have  having soft qualities. The similarity between Curley's wife  and the soft things Lennie likes to pet foreshadows that at some point ,Lennie will want to pet her and this will not be well received by Curley.
