Foil

Character Role Analysis

Xander and Ky

Ah, the classic best friend versus mysterious new guy debate. Cassia loves both Xander and Ky in different ways, and they are each characterized by the ways in which they differ from one another.

Xander is sweet, safe, and trustworthy, and represents generally doing the right thing, following Society's orders, and keeping Cassia's family safe. Ky, on the other hand, is forbidden fruit. He's lower status, but introduces Cassia to writing, poetry, drawing, and stories of a world outside her own. When she kisses Xander, it's sweet and innocent, but when she kisses Ky, it's madly passionate. But this is more than just a decision about which boy to keep kissing—it's a choice of identity versus conformity, and safety versus forging a new path and making her own choices.