The Smallest Dragonboy

Character foil pairs are set in opposition to one another to highlight essential aspects of each other’s physical, emotional, or ethical qualities through contrast. They are often the protagonist and the antagonist. In this story, Beterli and Keevan are foils to one another, juxtaposing various qualities of themselves in a way that works to elevate their differences. This contrast adds complexity to not only their characters but also to the narrative itself. It includes physical characterization, which contrasts the bulky stature of the antagonist, Beterli, to the smaller, more childlike body of the protagonist, Keevan. However, this opposition extends beyond physical attributes to those of moral character. Beterli’s violence and his disregard for fairness accentuate Keevan’s poise and morality, while Keevan’s kindness and calm perseverance reveal Beterli’s cruelty and impatience. In the end, Beterli is permanently banned from future Impressions, while Keevan is encouraged to participate in the future. Likewise, the highly coveted bronze dragon chooses Keevan over all other candidates, despite Beterli’s having deemed it “his” and the awareness that “no other candidate dared, on pain of being beaten by Beterli at his first opportunity, to approach it” (8-9). The opposition of these two characters discredits the notion that size alone indicates worth, instead illuminating the moral and emotional qualities in Keevan that ultimately prove him worthy.