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Anthropomorphism
Foil
Explanation and Analysis—Simon Legree & Uncle Tom:
Simon Legree—who is a cruel and hateful enslaver—is a foil to Uncle Tom, the novel's protagonist. All in all, Uncle Tom is depicted as a saintly hero, whereas Simon Legree is depicted as an obvious villain. When Tom arrives at the plantation, Legree vows to "break" him. To that end, Tom's refusal to harm his fellow slaves eventually causes Legree to kill him.
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Foil
Explanation and Analysis—Topsy and Eva:
Topsy is a foil for Eva, the beloved and religious daughter of the St. Clare family. Eva and Topy represent two alternate upbringings and experiences as young girls. Eva is a white girl who has been protected and sheltered from the cruelties of slavery. For her entire life, she has always received nothing but love and affection from the people around her. Topsy, on the other hand, has experienced neglect and abuse as a child, and she is generally characterized as troublesome and disobedient. In this regard, she and Eva stand in stark contrast to one another.
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Foil
Explanation and Analysis—Miss Ophelia and Marie:
Miss Ophelia and Marie St. Clare are foils to one another. From the northern state of Vermont, Miss Ophelia is stern, hard-working, and religious. Although she believes slavery to be wrong, she is still prejudiced against the enslaved. All in all, Miss Ophelia represents a northern abolitionist perspective.
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