Foil

Character Role Analysis

Arthur Chambers-Ishmael Chambers

As we noted in his character analysis (see "Characters"), Ishmael is often compared (unfavorably) to his father, who preceded him as the editor of the San Piedro Review. Arthur was rigorously scrupulous and moral, whereas Ishmael's moral compass seems, shall we say, cracked.

At least, that's the vibe we get when Ishmael seeks out and then withholds crucial evidence that could exonerate Kabuo Miyamoto, instead focusing on how he can get her to be nice to him again. Even Ed Soames, the bailiff for the trial, remarks to himself that Ishmael is definitely not like his father, and the ways in which they are different tell us a lot about Ishmael.