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