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In the classic novel How to Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces characters who seem extremely similar, then find slowly unveils stark contrasts between them -- primarily seen in the father figures of the novel: Bob Ewell and Atticus Finch, which is discovered in their mindsets, their upbringing, and their parenting
Scout(the main 's protagonist) and Burris Ewell are an example of a character foil in the book "To Kill a Mockingbird". Even though they went to school together, they are two people with very different views. Scout who is Intelligent and cared about education. As she get respect from other people. As she is a clean person.
Character Foils One instance of a foil from “To Kill A Mockingbird”, is of Bob Ewell and Walter Cunningham Both are poverty-stricken. Bob endeavor to do what is best with what they posses and the Ewell is cold-hearted and malign. Mr. Cunningham's are admired by the community while Mr.Ewell is loathed by members of Maycomb society. Mr. Cunningham's is noble and trustworthy, whereas Mr.Ewell's is a con artist.
While perusing To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, i’d realized most characters in books are made to be universally identifiable. I soon made the correlation that each character served as a specific archetype. The archetypes in this book, that personally seemed to protrude amongst the rest were, as follows: Bob Ewells, Calpurnia and Dill. Bob Ewells character was clearly meant to be despised by the reader. His nefarious nature sustained a sickening plot for this novel.
Another example of this foil within one character comes up while looking at Atticus. A gentle, well-educated, articulate lawyer is what comes to mind from the author’s characterization of Atticus. Even while scolding Jem or Scout, he talks calmly. Never has he ever done anything close to spanking or hurting them. His face always seems to be in one book or another.
In almost every book ever written, there are characters that bring out the differences of others. Whenever the author, rather than plainly stating the characteristics, uses other characters to imply the traits of another character, it is called a character foil. In “Much Ado About Nothing,” there are many people that act as foils of each other. In the book “Much Ado About Nothing” written by William Shakespeare, Beatrice is a foil to Hero because of their differing personalities, actions, and opinions. Beatrice and Hero are foils to each other because of their contrasting personalities.
Characterization of General Zaroff In Richard Connell's “The Most Dangerous Game”, the main antagonist, General Zaroff is characterized as intimidating and predatory. Through the use of vivid descriptions and dialogue, Connell effectively creates a sense of fear and danger surrounding Zaroff. The general's predatory nature is highlighted through his admission to hunting One way Zaroff is indirectly characterized as intimidating through his description, “..almost bizarre quality about the generals face… his eyes were black and very bright... sharp-cut nose, a spare, dark face, the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat” (30).
A foil is a character in a book who erodes the identity of another character. One example of a foil is Tom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer is Huckleberry Finn’s foil throughout Mark Twain’s book Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huck and Tom each have their own individual character, but when Huck is around Tom’s character his character falters. Others however believe that neither Tom nor Huck have good character.
Foils help to show a main character in a different light. They can be the same as the character or the complete opposite or even be a little of both. This helps the reader to see the good and the bad inside of that certain character to better the understanding of the novel as a whole. In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, the characters of Daisy, Mrs. Bogle, Mrs. Robbins, and Mrs. Turner all act as stereotypical sketches of what it meant to be a black woman during the time period. They each act as a foil to the main character Janie in multiple ways.
The Alchemist Santiago has many mentors along the way during his journey. He had the alchemist, the crystal merchant, and his own sheep. The alchemist helped Santiago turn himself into the wind. Turning Santiago into the wind saved his life, he was being held captive and when he turned into the wind he was able to escape from the people holding him captive.
Some say that opposites attract; in some cases they do and in some they do not. A foil is a character who is opposite of another character in order to highlight certain characteristics in both characters. An example of foils in a play that Shakespeare wrote, Romeo and Juliet, including rambunctious Tybalt and the tranquil Benvolio. Another example is the obnoxious funny Mercutio and the lovey dovey Romeo. Romeo and Juliet was a Shakespearean play written 1595 by William Shakespeare.
“What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” - Friedrich Nietzsche. Is that true? Does adversity really change people for the better? Going through tough situations can give individuals a new kind of strength, emotional strength, which lends them a chance to grow and mature.
In the most well known and the least read pieces of literature, narratives all have one key idea in common: the good guy and the bad guy. Whether the piece is about superheros, elves, or robots, the idea of these two opposing characters continues, the most common type of foil. A foil is two characters that contrast each other on many regards. The antagonist, or bad guy, often is a foil to the protagonist, or the good guy. In Sophocles’ Antigone, the antagonist, Creon is a foil to the protagonist, Antigone.
“The man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead” (33). In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller uses foil characters to elucidate Willy’s flaws that ultimately prevent him and his family from succeeding. The contrast between Charley and Willy and Bernard and Biff serves to highlight how Willy’s obsession with achieving his version of the American Dream impacts both his life and his children’s. His poor values are passed on to his children producing even more failures. ¬¬¬¬Both Charley and Willy work as salesmen, however Charley represents what Willy desired to become – successful.
If not for the major characters, the minor characters have played an equally important role in Maycomb with their contrasting views. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is mainly about Jem and Scout growing up under the difficult situations created in Alabama during The Great Depression. Stereotypes and discrimination are major problems in Maycomb. Scout and Jem Finch are raised by Atticus, with the help of Calpurnia, their maid. In the first part of the book, Scout, Jem and Dill are fascinated by Boo Radley because of the rumors they hear about him, and they try everything to make him come out of his house.