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Topic: Who would be considered the foil and confidant of "The Lovely Bones"?

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hcx28x

Who would be considered the foil and confidant of "The Lovely Bones"?

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msray

From my opinion and experience of the story, Ruth would be the best choice for a foil and confidant.

She serves as a foil to Susie, because in all the ways that Susie has to remain passive and a watcher, Ruth is able to contrast those qualities with her choices living on Earth. Susie is confined to her heaven and has very limited ability to influence people or circumstances on earth, whereas Ruth's curiousity and unconventional personality take her to places of discovery and test her bravery. Susie never really had the chance to become a woman and experience the truth of her situation; Ruth, on the other hand, wants to take on the gritty truths of life and especially Susie's realities- which were left behind unfinished and unrevealed.

Ruth also serves as a confidant for Susie's unfinished desires and wishes, which is seen as she strives to listen to Susie's whispers and illustrate her stories through art. She also longs to know Ray more, since Susie cannot, and puts herself in a position to consumate Susie's desire of love-making for her. In her posture of listening and "watching" for signs from Susie, Ruth is at least somewhat able to be an earthly channel and confidant for the deceased Susie.

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