The term for a secondary character who serves as a counterpoint to the main characters is a foil.
An ancillary character is a secondary character in a story who serves a specific purpose in supporting the main characters or advancing the plot, rather than being central to the narrative. These characters often provide context, exposition, or contrast to the main characters.
Wildcard characters
The secondary character in Chapter 1 of "Outsider" is Allison, a childhood friend of the main character who plays a significant role in shaping the protagonist's motivations and backstory. She provides emotional support and serves as a foil to the main character's personality.
A minor literary conflict is a smaller, secondary issue that characters face within a story. It may not be central to the main plot but serves to add complexity to the narrative and develop character relationships. It typically does not drive the main storyline but can contribute to character growth or thematic development.
The character in the book, "Roughnecks" is Travis. He serves as a positive role model as he shows he can overcome a lot.
Two characters who contrast with Odysseus in "The Odyssey" are the suitors, who represent arrogance, greed, and disrespect, and Penelope, who embodies patience, loyalty, and cunning. The suitors' behavior highlights Odysseus's noble qualities, while Penelope's steadfastness serves as a counterpoint to Odysseus's long journey and trials.
In military terms, primary logistics serves the needs of combat troops and secondary logistics serves the needs of support troops.
Benvolio is generally considered a flat character in "Romeo and Juliet," as he does not undergo significant change or development throughout the play. He serves primarily as a foil to more complex characters like Romeo and Mercutio.
A character can be someone who serves by contrast to emphasize the qualities of another character. One character can be used to show good and the other to show evil.
Zhan Xixi is significant in the novel because she represents resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Her character serves as a symbol of strength and courage, inspiring other characters to overcome their own challenges.
An act in a story serves to advance the plot and develop the characters, influencing the overall narrative by introducing conflict, resolution, and character growth.
Two-Dimensional Characters are also called as flat/static/minor characters. It is a minor character in a work of fiction who does not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story. It plays a supporting role to the main character. They are often necessary in a story, along with Main characters. Take, for example, Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. As flat character, he serves a vital role in the story of how Elizabeth and Darcy get together, and he provides comedy, but his character stays essentially unchanged. (In fact, that's part of what makes him funny.)