Foil

Character Role Analysis

Winnie Verloc, Mr. Verloc

Winnie and Mr. Verloc might both lack imagination and not look deeply beneath the surface of things, but they are complete opposites when it comes to the way they feel about Stevie. Also, it is each one's ignorance about how the other feels about Stevie that leads to their downfalls.

If Winnie knew the true nature of Verloc's newfound interest in Stevie, she might be able to stop Verloc from getting her brother killed. But because she doesn't like to look too deeply into things, she doesn't ask any questions. Verloc, on the other hand, doesn't realize how much Stevie's death has destroyed Winnie, and he doesn't realize how much she hates him (Verloc) for what happened. This eventually leads to Verloc becoming a Verloc-kebab.