Final answer:
Jonathan Lyte contrasts Johnny Tremain in their views and status, echoing the tension and class struggle between the American colonies and Britain, which is central to the lead-up to the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jonathan Lyte serves as a foil to Johnny Tremain in the historical novel 'Johnny Tremain' by Esther Forbes, which is set during the lead-up to the American Revolution. As a foil character, Lyte contrasts with Johnny by representing the Loyalist viewpoint and British aristocracy, while Johnny is depicted as a young American working-class silversmith. Their dynamic echoes the broader tension between the colonies and Britain, highlighting the themes of class struggle and the fight for liberty that defined the period. The relationship illustrates the inequalities and competing loyalties that fueled the revolutionary sentiments in the colonies. Meanwhile, as Britain sought to maintain order and control over its American territories, policies such as the Coercive Acts and events like the battles of Lexington and Concord illustrate the escalating conflicts leading to war.