The Protagonist
Created by Kathryn Reilly
Defining the Protagonist
• The protagonist is the central character in a story.
• The protagonist is usually a character the audience can identify or empathize with.
• Protagonists often encounter a conflict that they must overcome in the course of the story.
The Protagonist’s Role• The protagonist may be the story’s hero, but not all
stories have a hero. – In some stories, the protagonist may be the villain.
• Through the protagonist, the author can explore important ideas.
• The protagonist often portrays characteristics a society values such as perseverance, resourcefulness, compassion and wit.– A protagonist villain will portray characteristics a society
abhors such as greed, violence or callousness.
In the Text…• …the protagonist may narrate the story, but not
always.
• …the protagonist will undertake a journey. – The journey may be internal or external.
• …the protagonist will encounter conflict(s).– The conflict may be internal or external.
• …the protagonist will typically evaluate the society (or lack of society) he or she is a part of.
Examples of Protagonists
Regular Protagonist• Jay Gatsby in Fitzgerald’s The
Great Gatsby
• Holden Caulfield in Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye
• Elizabeth Bennet in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
• Hamlet in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Villain Protagonist • The Grinch in Dr. Suess’ How the
Grinch Stole Christmas
• Grendel in John Gardner’s Grendel
• Richard III in Shakespeare’s Richard III.
• Screwtape in C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters