Foil

Character Role Analysis

Alice and Joel

Joel is just too good to be true—he comes from a disadvantaged background and yet he's sweet, smart, and bending over backward to get a good education. On the other hand, we have Alice, who comes from every advantage to be had and yet she turns her back on everything to pursue peace, love, and LSD. Joel's goodness helps emphasize, for both Alice and readers, how much Alice takes her life for granted.