1. The Protagonist Created by Kathryn Reilly

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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