Foil

Character Role Analysis

The Heads of the Army and Air Force, the Young Pilot

The Heads of the Army and Air Force and the Young Pilot are adults with really different reactions to the unknown. On their way to Giant Country, when they realize they’re going off the grid, the Heads are “shaking with fear” (21.78). The Young Pilot, on the other hand, “thought this was a super adventure.” (21.73)

Without the Young Pilot, the book wouldn’t show any likeable adults besides the Queen. (Sure, he’s Young, but you have to be at least sort of adult to be a Pilot.) That means the Young Pilot is there to balance out the Heads of the Army and Air Force and show that there’s more than one way of being a grown-up. (Sigh of relief.)