Final answer:
The Director of the Home acts as a foil to Meursault in 'The Stranger' by highlighting his emotional detachment and societal non-conformity through their contrasting behaviors and attitudes towards societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
In literature, a foil is a character that contrasts with another, often the protagonist, to highlight particular qualities of the other character. In the case of The Stranger by Albert Camus, the Director of the Home serves as a foil to Meursault's character. While Meursault is detached and indifferent, the Director represents societal norms and the expected emotional responses to significant life events, such as mourning a loved one. Through this contrast, Meursault's anomalous nature is emphasized — his failure to conform to social expectations surrounding his mother's death becomes more apparent.
The Director is concerned with the proper conduct of people at the funeral and reflects the societal expectation of visible grief and respect. In contrast, Meursault's unemotional reaction to his mother's death and his lack of interest in adhering to social decorum highlight his non-conformity and disconnectedness from society. Thus, the Director's character underlines Meursault's emotional detachment and existential disassociation.