Foil

Character Role Analysis

Lavinia and Orin Mannon vs. Hazel and Peter Niles

Whoever said opposites attract was right—well, sort of, because these four don't stay together for very long. From the very beginning, the Niles siblings are happy, healthy, and seem to honestly care about one another and their pals Lavinia and Orin. They never lie, they're always there to help, and you'd swear that they weren't just siblings but best friends. That's a huge contrast to Orin and Lavinia, who constantly bicker, argue, and lie. Although we don't hear much about how things are in the Niles home, it's a safe bet it's because there aren't really any serious problems there.

Hazel and Peter represent the normal and contented home life and healthy sibling relationship that Lavinia and Orin never had. They're there to show how dysfunctional Orin, Lavinia, and the rest of the Mannons are. They're also there, we like to think, as O'Neill's way of saying that healthy relationships and family life are possible, even if they aren't necessarily as interesting or dramatic.

It's also worth mentioning that both Peter and Hazel fulfill the roles of romantic interests. We find out early on that Pete's got a crush on Lavinia and Hazel has eyes for Orin. One of the many things that makes Mourning Becomes Electra a tragedy is that none of that works out.