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
Villain Protagonist
• Jay Gatsby in Fitzgerald’s The
Great Gatsby
• The Grinch in Dr. Suess’ How the
Grinch Stole Christmas
• Holden Caulfield in Salinger’s
The Catcher in the Rye
• Grendel in John Gardner’s
Grendel
• Elizabeth Bennet in Austen’s
Pride and Prejudice
• Hamlet in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
• Richard III in Shakespeare’s
Richard III.
• Screwtape in C.S. Lewis’ The
Screwtape Letters