Foil

Character Role Analysis

Azalea's mom and dad

Though we don't get to know Azalea's mom all that well before she dies, from everything we hear about her afterward, she's a totally different person from her husband, the King. She loves to dance and is good at it, while he hates it and is bad at it, and she nurtures her daughters at every opportunity, while he's a little distant at the best of times. You get the idea.

Even Azalea notices the contrast, like one time when she's out in the garden. The garden "reminded Azalea of Mother, beautiful and bright, thick with scents and excitement. And the King—he was like the palace behind them, all straights and grays, stiff and symmetrical and orderly" (15.14). Sounds like a contrast to us, and contrast is a big indication of foilage (not to be confused with foliage which is, you know, actually a word).