Characters are used to represent different aspects of the same thing

[ThrillingHuman]

This idea seems kinda cool. I am certain such a thing is coined in literature somewhere but I couldn't find it. How's it called?

 

[Snusmumriken]

Are you talking about two sides of a coin like Janus god?

 

[Candy_Man]

So like different parts of a car have their own personalities?

Headlights: "Hey, there's a truck in front of us, maybe we should slow down?"
Horn: "BEEP BEEP, GET THE FUK OUTTA THE WAY!"
Air bag: "Fear Not! I shall protect the master (driver) from this evil truck."

 

[ThrillingHuman]

No, more like different characters act and think and basically represent different aspects of something, like an emotion.
Different characters that have a different take on greed, or love, or whatever - and they represent that aspect in the way the act in the story
Case in point - different aspects of love
Love is selfish (aka the selfish part of love), character 1
Love is selfless, character 2
Love is irrational, character 3
Etc...
And in the story character 1 is involved in a romance, with, say, character 3, but acts according to the trait it's associated with. Etc, etc

 

[Snusmumriken]

No, more like different characters act and think and basically represent different aspects of something, like an emotion.
Different characters that have a different take on greed, or love, or whatever - and they represent that aspect in the way the act in the story

Generally, what you are describing is a type of Foil. I am not sure there is a specific name for that particular type

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Maybe it is a kind of foil. Which reminds me of batman and joker, representing order and chaos, maybe(???) or maybe it's something to do with Jung's archetypes or something

 

[owotrucked]

Yeah sounds like foil characters.

There are some archetypes for foils.

The Lancer - TV Tropes

The Foil for a hero of the closely allied variety. In general, the Lancer will often form one half of a Red Oni, Blue Oni contrasting duo with the main character. While they may butt heads with The Leader, they're usually the Best Friend by the …

tvtropes.org

 

[JayDirex]

Man, characters are plot devices. They're placed in the story to either be an obstacle, provide information to the MC (and reader), or to be loved by the MC.

The depth of the character's motivations depends on his or her function in the story, and/or on the whims of the author.

 

[Snusmumriken]

Maybe it is a kind of foil. Which reminds me of batman and joker, representing order and chaos, maybe(???) or maybe it's something to do with Jung's archetypes or something

Joker is an antagonist. And that is also a form of a Foil.

Foils themselves don't have to be antagonists. like Batman and Robin. both are for justice but both go different ways about it.

 

[LoliGent]

This idea seems kinda cool. I am certain such a thing is coined in literature somewhere but I couldn't find it. How's it called?

I get what you are saying and I love this trope, but I can't seem to find the name of it myself. But it's a good way of coming up with character traits when you can't think of any off the top of your head. Currently writing a story and have noticed that the trio of characters seem to represent the ever classic id, ego, and super ego. I think this is very common though so I'm not being original, but it has helped me fleshed out their characters and relationships.

I do believe there is a word for it, but I seem to be struggling to figure out what it could possibly be called. But yeah, I like it too.

 

[CL]

Etymology origin of "foil" comes from the Latin word "fuilo" which means "fuller". I get the impression that means, when we are on about any subject (such as our story characters or plots), foil was initially spoken as a term meaning "to represent more of a whole". That, in my belief, defines the word foil as the best fitting term on this thread's topic. What do you all say to that? Am I wrong?

 

[Snusmumriken]

Etymology origin of "foil" comes from the Latin word "fuilo" which means "fuller". I get the impression that means, when we are on about any subject (such as our story characters or plots), foil was initially spoken as a term meaning "to represent more of a whole". That, in my belief, defines the word foil as the best fitting term on this thread's topic. What do you all say to that? Am I wrong?

Foil as a narrative comes from the use of foil in jewellery. where it is placed under gems to make them shine brighter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foil_(narrative)

Also, Foil(noun) comes from Latin "Folium" which means leaf.

The one that comes from "Fullo" is "to foil"(verb) - the one from Curses! Foiled again!

 

[CupcakeNinja]

This idea seems kinda cool. I am certain such a thing is coined in literature somewhere but I couldn't find it. How's it called?

A facsimile?

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Are we talking about macrocosm/microcosm?

 

[Mephi]

Well, I've heard it said that characters represent different aspects of the author...
Other than that, its going to be a different trope each time. Character casts almost always play off each other on a theme of some kind.

Maybe it is a kind of foil. Which reminds me of batman and joker, representing order and chaos, maybe(???) or maybe it's something to do with Jung's archetypes or something

They're just opposites in general. Batman is the Dark Knight. He's a brooding, overly serious character that is also a protector and guardian. The Joker is the Clown Prince. Bright, cheerful, happy character that's basically evil as heck. Everything that Batman is? The Joker is the opposite. If you want Batman to represent Order, then the Joker is Chaos.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Unsure if it's a foil? Like some situation but how two characters may be in similar characteristics but then how they react and what they become contrast each other.

Like both characters are byproducts of living in a poor environment. But one grows up to be humble and good and help as many as they can cause they have been there before. While the other always hoards, and is greedy and will do anything to get some place higher for themselves bc they never want to be in that situation again. Both lived through poverty, but their personality and character became different reactions.

Same issue but different contrast. Maybe foil?

 

[Cipiteca396]

Found it.

Allegorical Character - TV Tropes

While some fictional characters are only meant to represent themselves, others are meant to represent something larger than themselves in order to make a point. The author uses this character to represent X, whether X is "Women," "Christians," " …

tvtropes.org

Though yeah, having multiple characters representing different facets of the same thing and then contrasting them against each other would make them foils to each other.

 

[CL]

Foil as a narrative comes from the use of foil in jewellery. where it is placed under gems to make them shine brighter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foil_(narrative)

Also, Foil(noun) comes from Latin "Folium" which means leaf.

The one that comes from "Fullo" is "to foil"(verb) - the one from Curses! Foiled again!

Thank you for the correction. Although I still believe that "to make them shine brighter" still resembles my definition on making something whole fuller or more than. That is just a belief of mine.