Foil

Character Role Analysis

Lina Lamont and Kathy Selden

Lina and Kathy are like night and day, like black and white, like pizza and Brussel sprouts. They're both interested in Don and they're both interested in stardom, but the similarities end there. Lina is a massive movie star with an über-irritating voice. Kathy's a nobody with a lovely voice. Lina is conniving and self-centered. Kathy is ambitious yet generous—especially when compared to Lina. And that's what makes these two women foils: Kathy's honorable behavior only makes Lina look more awful; Lina's abhorrent behavior only makes Kathy look more noble… and more attractive to both Don and the movie industry. Score one for Selden.