Foils are defined as characters that contrast to another character, however, the importance of the foil character is much more complex than the simple definition it is first given. Character foils are often used to demonstrate differences between characters,To Kill a Mockingbird has many examples of foils, all being used to bring the story contrast to the main viewpoint. Examples of a character foils would be the protagonist and the antagonist. Both characters contrasts each other, and brings out different aspects of each other. Without the use of foils in a literary piece, the piece would be flat with no conflicting characters or views. The importance of foils are shown throughout To Kill a Mockingbird through Bob Ewell, Mrs. Dubose and Boo
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Bob Ewell is a foil to Atticus because he is racist man who blames rape on an innocent man, while Atticus believes all men are equal, and proves Bob wrong on his accusation. The importance of Bob being a foil to Atticus is shown throughout the story, without Bob’s character, the plot would be very boring. Scout was told by Mrs. Crawford that, “this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (221). Atticus then says, “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco” (222). Atticus responded in a very respectful and calm manner instead of telling off Bob Ewell. This shows the differences between them and how Bob Ewell is rude while Atticus is not. Another way Bob is a foil to Atticus is the way he talks. “That’s m’name, cap’n,” (173). Bob Ewell talks in a way that is in a very uneducated way, while Atticus speaks in a manner that is very respectful and educated. Bob Ewell is a very important character because he shows how different Atticus is to himself, and he also brings out aspects of the plot that otherwise would not be …show more content…
Dubose, a frail old lady is surprisingly a very important foil to Jem throughout, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” “Don’t you say hey to me, you ugly girl! You say good afternoon, Mrs. Dubose!”(103). Mrs. Dubose said that after Scout and Jem were walking past her house one day and Scout said hello to her. Jem would never say that to someone, and that shows a difference between Mrs. Dubose and himself. Believing that Jem's father was trash, Mrs. Dubose said, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (105). This shows that Jem and Mrs. Dubose have extremely different views on Atticus from each other. Jem eventually gets so angry that he cuts up all of her flowers, angry that his neighbor shouts horrible things about his father. The importance of this character foil is shown when Jem cuts up Mrs. Dubose's flowers. Events after that gives Jem sympathy for the old woman, showing him how to put himself in other people's shoes. Without the foil between Jem and Mrs. Dubose, Jem would make assumptions on everyone's actions, instead of putting himself in other people's
Bob Ewell is a foil to Atticus because he is racist man who blames rape on an innocent man, while Atticus believes all men are equal, and proves Bob wrong on his accusation. The importance of Bob being a foil to Atticus is shown throughout the story, without Bob’s character, the plot would be very boring. Scout was told by Mrs. Crawford that, “this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (221). Atticus then says, “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco” (222). Atticus responded in a very respectful and calm manner instead of telling off Bob Ewell. This shows the differences between them and how Bob Ewell is rude while Atticus is not. Another way Bob is a foil to Atticus is the way he talks. “That’s m’name, cap’n,” (173). Bob Ewell talks in a way that is in a very uneducated way, while Atticus speaks in a manner that is very respectful and educated. Bob Ewell is a very important character because he shows how different Atticus is to himself, and he also brings out aspects of the plot that otherwise would not be …show more content…
Dubose, a frail old lady is surprisingly a very important foil to Jem throughout, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” “Don’t you say hey to me, you ugly girl! You say good afternoon, Mrs. Dubose!”(103). Mrs. Dubose said that after Scout and Jem were walking past her house one day and Scout said hello to her. Jem would never say that to someone, and that shows a difference between Mrs. Dubose and himself. Believing that Jem's father was trash, Mrs. Dubose said, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (105). This shows that Jem and Mrs. Dubose have extremely different views on Atticus from each other. Jem eventually gets so angry that he cuts up all of her flowers, angry that his neighbor shouts horrible things about his father. The importance of this character foil is shown when Jem cuts up Mrs. Dubose's flowers. Events after that gives Jem sympathy for the old woman, showing him how to put himself in other people's shoes. Without the foil between Jem and Mrs. Dubose, Jem would make assumptions on everyone's actions, instead of putting himself in other people's