Foil

Character Role Analysis

Foil

Humans vs. Martians

The big foil relationship in the book is between humans and Martians. Humans are a warlike species who don't know how to live with nature; Martians are a mostly a peaceful species who value beauty. (If you forget Yll's murder, the murder of the Third Expedition, and possibly what happens to the Second Expedition.)

But don't feel too bad about yourself. Bradbury offers a few good human examples, like Driscoll in "The Green Morning"; Hathaway in "The Long Years"; Father Peregrine in "The Fire Balloons." It's just too bad no one seems to listen to them.