What does the term foil mean in literature?
What does the term foil mean in literature?
foil, in literature, a character who is presented as a contrast to a second character so as to point to or show to advantage some aspect of the second character. Watson is a perfect foil for Holmes because his relative obtuseness makes Holmes’s deductions seem more brilliant.
How can you tell if a character is a foil?
A foil is a character whose values differ from those of the protagonist. Usually a foil experiences the same events as the protagonist, but since his values differ, so do his choices and behavior. A foil’s main purpose is to show contrast to the protagonist.
Are Tom and Gatsby foils?
Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are foils. One without the other would not create the drama the happens within the novel. If the two characters were any more similar, they would not highlight the other’s features and therefore the book may not have ended like it did.
Where did the term foil come from?
The word foil comes from the old practice of backing gems with foil to make them shine more brightly.
Are Daisy and Myrtle foils?
Myrtle would be known as the foil in the story. Tom Buchanan turns to Myrtle for comfort, and constantly tells her lies about his life with Daisy, she is his mistress, which shows that he doesn’t care for her as much as he cares for Daisy. In the story it says ““Daisy! Daisy!
Who is Nick’s foil?
Scott Fitzgerald uses narrator Nick Carraway as a foil to the novel’s protagonist, Jay Gatsby, and Jay’s antagonist, Tom Buchanan. The men share a desire for Tom’s wife, Daisy – but in other ways they’re completely different. Nick paints Tom as an entitled Ivy League-educated sportsman who inherited his money.
Why does Shakespeare use foils in Hamlet?
In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses foils to enhance the characters namely to enhance Hamlet. A foil is a minor character who with their similarities and differences reveals character traits, that of another character opposite to them.
Who are foils in Great Gatsby?
The Great Gatsby Scott Fitzgerald uses narrator Nick Carraway as a foil to the novel’s protagonist, Jay Gatsby, and Jay’s antagonist, Tom Buchanan. The men share a desire for Tom’s wife, Daisy – but in other ways they’re completely different.
Why do authors use foils?
Literary foils exist to reveal information about characters and their motivations. Foils can also: Help readers get a deeper understanding of a character. The main purpose of a foil is to draw attention to and emphasize another character’s strengths and weaknesses.
What is the role of a foil in literary work?
The role of a foil in a literary work to to provide contrast against the protagonist, in order to further highlight one or more characteristics of the protagonist.
What is an example of foil in literature?
Examples of Foil Characters in Literature. 1. In Wuthering Heights, Catherine and Heathcliffe can be seen a foils. They are opposites in appearance, and their lives (one privileged the other not) are foils as well. 2. In the Harry Potter Series, Harry and Voldemort are foils-one is good and the other evil.
What are the characteristics of foil in literature?
A Definition of Foil Character and Famous Examples from Literature Foil Character – Definition. In short, a foil character can be defined as a character whose personality is opposite to another character. Foil Character – Examples Romeo and Juliet. ► Rosaline is completely unavailable, and has turned away all the men from her to remain chaste. Hamlet. Frankenstein. Macbeth. Antigone. Fahrenheit 451. The Crucible.
What is the literary definition of foil?
Foil (literature) In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character – usually the protagonist— to highlight particular qualities of the other character. In some cases, a subplot can be used as a foil to the main plot.
