Foil

Character Role Analysis

Tina and Steve

Tina and Steve are the popular kids, and as such, they provide a ton of contrast for Eleanor and Park's characters. They're basically the opposite of Eleanor and Park in every way: They fit in, they're at the top of the pecking order, and they bully other kids. We only get a tiny glimpse of their relationship, but in contrast to Eleanor and Park, they don't seem particularly connected.

Steve drinks and smokes, and Tina does, too, just like Eleanor's parents… Could they be a younger version? Maybe so—Park tells us that "Steve and Tina eloped over Labor Day," the fall after Eleanor leaves. He guesses Eleanor's comment would be "Unholy union, Batman" (56.16), which is pretty much the opposite of Eleanor and Park's relationship.