Foil

Character Role Analysis

Keith Olamina, Lauren Olamina

A foil is when two characters are similar in some ways but contrast with each other in one big respect or other. Lauren and Keith are siblings, so it's pretty clear how they're alike: they're both growing up in the Olamina household, and they both want to leave Robledo.

But how do they differ? Keith's big grow-up-and-leave-home plan isn't so mature. He goes beyond the neighborhood wall without preparing, while Lauren meticulously prepares for years. Outside Robledo, Keith turns to crime—even murder—to support himself, while Lauren tries to help people on the outside and recruits followers with her compassion.