Foil

Character Role Analysis

Lena and Effie

Characters who are foils are essentially opposites, and by being so, they illuminate each other's unique qualities. Effie's job as Lena's foil is to show us just how introverted and closed off Lena really is. Effie may not be the beauty that Lena is, but her character shows us that she is way more outgoing—and frankly more likable—than her older sister. Oh, and she's way more comfortable around boys.