Foil

Character Role Analysis

Bayard and Ringo

Bayard's a white boy, the privileged son of a plantation owner. Ringo's his same age, but a slave, living on that same plantation. As the boys grow up, their differences reveal a lot about each of their characters. Ringo's intelligence makes Bayard feel inadequate; and Bayard's white privilege lets him study law while Ringo stays home working as a servant, even though he's the smart one of the pair.