Literary Foil

Literary Foil

Foil- what is it?

• In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the objective to highlight the traits of the other character.

• Often times a secondary character or a side kick will serve as a foil to the main character. Heroes and villains are also commonly used as foils for each other.

Antithesis- what?

• An antithesis is a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

• i.e. “Love is the antithesis of selfishness.”

• Is a foil and an antithesis the same thing?

Who is the foil to each character?

In what way do they act as a foil? (what traits do they exemplify in one another?)

scares easily, and is prone to panicking under stressful situations

Flounder

bright, spirited, adventurous and stubborn. Her curiosity and love for adventure sometimes gets her into trouble

Ariel

• very eccentric and even slightly effeminate;

• wore flamboyant clothing (at one point, he is

• seen wearing a flowered bonnet)

• known for his odd displays of whimsicality;

• used humour to make people feel comfortable in his presence.

• known to be quite philosophical• spoke in a calm, collected voice, being

reasonable and kind, but firm

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

"the most evil wizard for hundreds and hundreds of years“

raging psychopath, devoid of the normal human responses to other people's suffering

no conscience, feels no remorse

no need for human companionship or friendship, and cannot comprehend love or affection for another

Voldemort

• independent strong survivalist, lethal, but good at thinking outside the box

• a survivor, and she will endure hardship and hard work to preserve her own life and the life of her family

• Kill or be killed mentality

Katniss Everdeen

• very compassionate person and is good with words.

• described as sweet, gentle, strong, and steady

• also loving and cares about the people around him and hates killing

Peeta Mellark

• Humble• Wants to go unnoticed• Helpful• Considerate of the greater good

Bruce Banner

• Eccentric• Flashy• Cocky• Loud• Likes attention

Tony Stark

Anna is very eccentric, optimistic, awkward and far from elegant.

She usually acts before she speaks, and can be rather impulsive, but holds a lot of innocence to her, nonetheless.

She is a free spirit

Anna

calm, reserved and regal

and unlike her sister, is experienced in grace and poise

Queen Elsa

kind-hearted and talented

witty and charming

habit of seeing the best in others, even when they could not see it themselves

Loving

Lily Potter

cold

calculating

precise

sarcastic

bitter

SNAPE

brooding and stubborn, but also very kind and compassionate.

charming, polite, and determined

Edward Cullen

Cheerful

Rebellious

Immature/young

Jacob Black

Grizzly bear stature

Intense

Aggressive

Tough

Widely knowledgeable

Intrinsically motivated

Coach Penrod

5’4

Loud

Always goofy

Easily bored

Likes attention

Extrinsically motivated

Elora Penrod

A-list Actor

Humble

Modest

Tom Cruise

Loud

Flamboyant

Cocky

Mr. Warren

What foils do we see in Of Mice and Men?