Comparing Boys and Girls by Alice Munro and A Clean Well-Lighted Place by Hemingway :: comparison compare contrast essays

Importance of Foils in Boys and Girls and A comely Well-Lighted Place A Handbook to Literature says that the word mar literally means a leaf or a sheet of paper of bright metal placed under a piece of jewellery to increase its brilliance (Foil). Thus when applied to literature, the term refers to a lineament who drags a contrast with another, especially a minor quality who helps set move out a major character (Barnett et al. 1331). For example, a sappy character may place a wise characters wisdom in a stronger light, or a cowardly character may make the heros actions appear even more courageous. A foil is frequently an foe or confidant, but whoever the foil might be, the purpose is to illuminate unitary or more significant traits, attitudes or actions of a main character (Foil NTCE).   In the story, A Clean Well-Lighted Place, by Ernest Hemingway, the younger waiter is a foil for both the sexagenarianer waiter and the nonagenarian man who comes to drink in the caf& eacute. The aged(a) waiter is concerned for the emeritus man who has tried to kill himself. He understands that there are galore(postnominal) lonely people who involve a safe, well-lighted place to get out loneliness at night.   The one-time(a)er waiter makes the comment near the eat up of the story that each night I am reluctant to shut out up because there may be someone who needs the café (1172). The aged waiter is sympathetic to the old man because he himself is lonely. He confesses that I am of those who like to stay late at the café, with all those who need a light for the night (1172).   On the other hand, the younger waiter has a wife to go home to and is irritated at the old man because he will not leave. He even says to the old man, who is deaf, You should have killed yourself last week (1170). This cruel remark contrasts sharply with the older waiters characteristics of compassion, friendliness, and tolerance.   In the story, Boys and Girls, by Alice Munro, Laird is the foil for his sister, the narrator of the story. When the children are young, Lairds behavior contrasts with the due date and responsibility shown by the girl. While she is busy watering the foxes, he goes off and swings himself sick . . . going around in circles or tries to catch caterpillars (987).