What's the Point of a Foil Character in Literature?

When it comes to fictional characters, it's easy to get lost in all the different roles they're supposed to fulfill in your novel. 

Protagonists, antagonists, main and secondary characters, villains, heroes, love interests… I could truly go on for a while.

Included in that list is one very specific type of character: foils.

Honestly, the first time I heard this literary term, I didn't know what the heck people were talking about. Then I sort of learned about character foils but figured they were for pretentious authors who only wrote literary fiction, not the genre fiction I absolutely love writing.

Well, I soon found out that foils aren't that complicated and almost every story should have them. 

And that's why you're here, right?

In this article, we're going to discuss:

• What a foil character is (and isn't)
• Why you should include foils in your story
• Examples of well-known foils
• Tips for writing your own foil characters

If you're a Dabbler, you might want to have Dabble Writer open for this one so you can capture new ideas in your Character Profiles right away.

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Now, are you ready to wrap your brain around these characters? Get it? Like aluminum foil… wrapping things in aluminum foil.

Let's go.

What the Heck is a Foil Character?

First things first, let's define this specific type of character.

A foil character, or “literary foil,” is meant to draw attention to or highlight the qualities or traits of another character. More often than not, the other character is your protagonist, but it could also be your antagonist or a prominent secondary character.

To this end, your protagonist isn't a foil. Though their traits will be contrasted with another character's, the whole point is to point out the flaws, accentuate growth, or shine a spotlight on the virtues of someone like your main character.

Fun fact: These imaginary people are called foils as a reference to an old jeweler's technique known as foiling. Back in the day (I'm talking like 2000 B.C.), jewelers would put foil underneath a gem in their jewelry. The foil would reflect light back through the gem, accentuating the shine of the stone. Better refinement and cutting practices made this technique fade away in the early 1900s, though it is making a comeback these days.

Foils vs. Antagonists

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking foils are just a type of antagonist. These two types of characters are similar (and an antagonist can be a foil), but they aren't one and the same. 

Let's compare the definitions.

Foil: A character who highlights qualities or traits of another character.

Antagonists: A character who impedes or opposes the protagonist's journey to their goal.

When it's laid out like that, it's easy to see how these types of characters are different. But good antagonists usually have traits related to your protagonist.

For example, your hero might have a strict set of moral codes, while your villain doesn't have any morals at all. Or both protagonist and antagonist lost their parents to an alien invasion, and now the protagonist seeks to help human refugees, while the antagonist is thirsty for revenge.

In both cases, you can see how the antagonist's character highlights elements of the protagonist. That said, we'll talk later about how other types of characters can still be literary foils.

Is Every Character With Contrasting Traits a Foil Character?

If you compare any two characters in a story, you'll be able to find at least one difference between them. You'll probably find more. They may even stand in direct opposition to one another in terms of personality, values, or goals.

So does that mean every character is a foil?

No. A foil is a foil because their contrasting traits directly illuminate certain qualities in another character that impact the readers' experience of the story in a meaningful way.

In The Lion King, Mufasa and Scar are foils. Both take their turns at being king, and while Mufasa views leadership as a responsibility to revere and serve the Pridelands, Scar views it as an opportunity to be revered and served by those beneath him.

Scar's abusive and self-interested nature shines a brighter light on Mufasa's wisdom and nobility, which is particularly meaningful in a story about a young lion who learns what it truly means to be king.

You could also argue that Scar's pretentious and uptight nature contrasts with Pumbaa's more laid-back qualities, but these characters aren't really poised to reflect one another. The story isn't structured to invite comparison between them (more on that in a bit), and observing their differences doesn't do anything to enhance the story or its themes.

Do You Need a Foil Character?

So foil characters sound useful, but do you actually need one? The short answer is no. Not every story requires a foil character, and in some cases, adding one might feel forced or unnecessary.

The decision to include a foil should be driven by the needs of your story and characters. Think about the themes and conflicts in your story. Are there certain aspects of your protagonist's personality or journey that could be enhanced by a foil character? Are there ways in which a foil character could challenge your protagonist and help them grow?

Another factor to consider is the size and scope of your story. If you're writing a shorter piece, such as a short story or novella, you may not have the space to fully develop a foil character. In these cases, it might be more effective to focus on developing your protagonist and supporting characters without introducing a foil.

Remember, a foil character is still a character; they deserve to be fully fleshed out with quirks, flaws, unique traits, and even a backstory. If you're just throwing in a cheap character to tick a box, your readers will know (and might revolt).

Ultimately, the decision to include a foil character should be guided by your intuition as a writer. If you feel that a foil character would bring a valuable perspective to your story, then go for it. But if you're not sure, take some time to consider whether they're truly necessary or if there are other ways to achieve the same effects.

It's worth noting that even if you decide not to include a foil character, you can still incorporate some of the benefits of foils through other means. For example, you might use a secondary character to highlight certain aspects of your protagonist's personality or create conflicts that challenge your protagonist's beliefs and values.

In the end, whether or not you include a foil character is up to you. But now you're able to make an informed decision that serves your story and characters in the best possible way.

Benefits of Incorporating a Foil Character

Now that we've established what a foil character is and why you should include one in your story, let's dive into the specific benefits of having a literary foil.

Foils are an effective tool to add depth and complexity to your characters and story. They let you easily create tension, develop your protagonist's strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately enhance the overall narrative.

But it's not just about making your protagonist more interesting. Foils can also be used to create an emotional impact on readers. They can evoke empathy or disdain for a character or create a sense of anticipation and suspense for what's to come. When it's all said and done, foils can elevate your story and make it more engaging for your readers.

Let's see how they do that, exactly.

Builds Tension

One of the main benefits of incorporating a foil character into your story is the ability to build tension. When you highlight the differences between characters, your foil character can create conflict, which drives the plot forward and keeps your readers engaged.

A foil character might act as an opposing force to the protagonist, challenging their beliefs, actions, and decisions. This creates a sense of opposition and urgency in the story, as the protagonist must navigate the challenges presented by the foil character. The foil character can also reveal flaws in the protagonist's character or actions, leading to a sense of tension and uncertainty about the protagonist's ability to overcome obstacles.

Additionally, the presence of a foil character can create a sense of dramatic irony, where the reader knows something that the protagonist does not.

For example, let's say your main character is a scientist working with a billionaire to create new technology that could end world hunger. Both characters are obsessed with their vision, but for completely different reasons—the scientist dreams of progress, and the billionaire dreams of power.

As the reader sees your billionaire making secret deals to exploit this new tech, they begin to realize that every sacrifice the scientist makes in their single-minded push toward progress will only make them complicit in further oppression of the people they're trying to serve.

This creates tension as the reader watches the protagonist make decisions or take actions that they know will lead to not-so-great consequences.

Enhances Character Development

I've mentioned it a few times now, but one of the main benefits of having a foil character in your story is the opportunity to add depth and complexity to your main characters. By contrasting your protagonist's traits and behaviors with those of a foil character, you can highlight different aspects of their personalities and motivations. This not only makes your characters more interesting and dynamic but can also create opportunities for character development and growth.

For example, let's say your protagonist is a stubborn and headstrong detective who always works alone. By introducing a foil character who is more collaborative and willing to seek help from others, you can emphasize your protagonist's flaws and limitations. In turn, this relationship can create tension and conflict within the story as the protagonist struggles to overcome their weaknesses and work with others to achieve their goals.

Additionally, a well-written foil character can serve as a mirror for your main character that reflects their strengths and weaknesses in a way that deepens the reader's understanding of the character. This leads to more complex and nuanced characterizations that feel more true to life.

Illuminates Internal Conflict and Themes

A well-crafted foil character can add more layers to your plot than an onion (or ogre). I mean, who doesn't love a good story with twists and turns, unexpected revelations, and rich character development? A foil character can be the secret ingredient that takes your plot from bland to deliciously complex.

Your story's primary theme emerges from the main character's internal conflict—the battle they fight within themselves. If your character wrestles with an internal tug-of-war between the needs of their family and their own dreams, the overall theme is probably a statement on what we owe our families or the importance of fulfilling one's own purpose.

A foil character helps you explore these deeper topics by illustrating alternate points of view. If your protagonist is doggedly loyal to their family, the foil can provide contrast by living a life driven by their own needs and desires. By seeing the benefits and pitfalls of the foil's life philosophy, both the protagonist and readers are able to explore the story's themes more completely.

Examples of Foil Characters

Before we dive into some proven tricks to writing foil characters, let's take a brief detour to examine some well-known foils (and who they're foiling for!).

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson

Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson, are one of the most famous examples of a foil character relationship in literature. Sherlock Holmes is a detective known for his brilliant mind and deductive reasoning, while Dr. Watson is a former army doctor who acts as Holmes's assistant and chronicler of his cases.

Watson's role as a foil character is to provide a more relatable perspective for the reader. While Holmes is often portrayed as cold and detached, Watson serves as the emotional center of the stories. He is often amazed by Holmes's deductions and provides a sense of wonder and excitement that would be missing if the stories were told from Holmes's perspective alone.

In addition to enhancing the reader's experience, Watson's presence also enhances Holmes's character. Through his interactions with Watson, Holmes is able to show a more human side. Watson's admiration for Holmes's intellect highlights Holmes's genius, and his loyalty to Watson shows that there is more to Holmes than just a detached detective.

Their relationship is also defined by the contrast between their personalities. Holmes is analytical and logical, while Watson is more emotional and empathetic. This contrast is used to great effect in the stories, with Watson often acting as a sounding board for Holmes's ideas and as a foil to his detached nature.

It's the dynamic between Holmes and Watson that creates a perfect example of how a foil character can enhance both the protagonist's development and the reader's experience. Their contrasting personalities and roles complement each other, creating a well-rounded and captivating narrative.

Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan serve as excellent examples of foil characters. Gatsby is a self-made man who has become incredibly wealthy through illegal means in order to impress his former love, Daisy Buchanan, who is now married to Tom. Tom, on the other hand, is a wealthy man born into privilege who has inherited his fortune and enjoys the status it affords him.

Despite their shared interest in Daisy, Gatsby and Tom are fundamentally different in their values, backgrounds, and personalities. Gatsby is optimistic, hopeful, and desperate for a better life, while Tom is cynical, jaded, and deeply unhappy despite his wealth and status. As a result, their interactions are fraught with tension and conflict, as each man represents a different worldview.

Gatsby's foil character, Tom, serves to highlight the flaws and contradictions in Gatsby's character. Tom is a constant reminder of the world that Gatsby is trying to escape, with all its corruption and moral decay. At the same time, Tom's wealth and social standing make him a powerful adversary for Gatsby, and their rivalry over Daisy drives the plot of the novel.

By contrasting Gatsby's optimism and idealism with Tom's cynicism and privilege, Fitzgerald creates a dynamic and compelling narrative that explores the complexities of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth and power.

Tips for Creating a Literary Foil

I hope you're inspired to add a foil character to your writing if the glove fits. There's so much potential for a stronger narrative, more complex characters, and an overall more enjoyable read for your audience.

But how do you go about creating a foil? I'm glad you asked. Here are some tips for creating your very own foil character.

Set up key differences

When it comes to creating a foil character, one of the most important things to keep in mind is to set up contrasts between characters. A foil character should serve as a counterpart to your protagonist or other important character, and highlighting the differences between them is key to making this relationship work.

Think about your protagonist's strengths and weaknesses, and then create a foil character that contrasts with those traits. If your protagonist is calm and level-headed, for example, consider making their foil impulsive and reckless. If your protagonist is a natural leader, their foil could be someone who struggles to make decisions and lacks confidence.

Another way to set up contrasts is to think about the characters' backgrounds, experiences, and motivations. Perhaps your protagonist comes from a wealthy family and has never had to struggle for anything, while their foil grew up in poverty and has had to work hard for everything they have. This creates a natural tension between the characters and can lead to interesting conflicts and character development.

It's also important to remember that contrasts can come in many forms, not just personality or background. Physical differences, such as height, build, or even fashion sense can also be used to set up contrasts between characters.

Setting up contrasts is essential for a foil; it's literally the whole point! So make sure you focus on this differentiator when creating your character.

Be strategic in choosing key differences

When you create foils, you want to think strategically. It won't help your story to pick any random trait and introduce a character with an opposite trait. You need to know why you're showing that contrast. Does it support character growth? Illuminate a theme? Heighten the tension, drive the story forward, or enhance the main plot in some way?

If your protagonist is a stubborn and headstrong leader, those flaws will probably lead them to make mistakes that heighten conflict. So you might want to create a foil character who is more collaborative and open to feedback. This contrast can help readers see the flaws in the protagonist's approach, recognize that the protagonist is responsible for their own failures, and potentially even root for the foil character.

On the flip side, a foil character can also highlight the protagonist's strengths. Let's say your protagonist is a skilled detective but they struggle with personal relationships. You could create a foil character who has the opposite problem: they have excellent social skills but lack the attention to detail required for investigative work. The contrast between the two characters can emphasize the protagonist's expertise while showing the foil character's limitations.

When using foils to illustrate your main character's traits, it's important to make sure that the differences are clear but not too extreme. If the foil character is too different, the contrast can come across as contrived, and the reader might not connect with either character. However, if the differences are too subtle, the impact of the foil character may be lost.

Make sure foils are different enough to be recognizable

When creating a foil character, it's important to make sure that they are different enough from the protagonist to be recognizable as a foil. This means there needs to be a clear contrast between the two characters in terms of their personality, beliefs, actions, and overall demeanor.

One way to ensure that your foil character is different enough is to start by creating a detailed character profile for both your protagonist and foil character. This includes outlining their physical appearance, personality traits, values, and motivations. Once you have a clear idea of who these characters are, you can start to look for areas of contrast that will make the foil stand out from the protagonist.

It's also important to consider how your foil character will react to the situations and conflicts presented in the story. Your foil should respond differently to the same events than your protagonist would, highlighting the differences between the two characters. This will help to reinforce the contrast and make the foil character more recognizable.

Another way to make sure your foil character is different enough is to consider their role in the story. Are they a sidekick to the protagonist, a romantic interest, or a rival? The type of relationship your foil character has with your protagonist can also help to create contrast and emphasize their differences.

Invite comparison

In order for a foil character to do their job effectively, the reader has to actually see the differences between two characters, even if only subconsciously. This means that as an author, you've got to make some subtle moves to invite comparison.

It's often as simple as the way you position contrasting characters. We naturally tend to compare opponents to one another, which is one reason antagonists make for great foil characters. It's the same story for characters who have close relationships or spend a lot of time together, like siblings, best friends, or coworkers.

Similarities also spark comparison. You might show two characters making different choices despite being in the same situation. Or maybe your characters come from the same family or background but have built very different lifestyles.

Common ground makes it a little clearer that characters are actually meant to be foils. It's a way of nudging your reader to examine these two people in each other's light.

Create Your Foil Character With Dabble

That's a lot of info to digest about a character you probably didn't think was so dang cool when you started this article, right?

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