Character Foils

In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of the minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character.

In The Kite Runner, analyze the ways that the character Hassan functions as a foil to Amir, and the ways that their relationship illuminates the meaning of the work.