Protagonist: Creating and Critiquing

Introduction to Protagonist

A protagonist, as a literary device, is the central character or a leading figure in a narrative. He typically drives the plot forward through his/her actions, decisions, and interactions with other characters.

Such characters often embody the primary goals, conflicts, and themes of the story, serving as a focal point for readers’s interest and emotional association. The development and transformation of the protagonist play a crucial role in the narrative’s exploration of its underlying themes and messages.

Literary Examples of Protagonist

Literary Work	Protagonist Explanation	Protagonist Type
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling	Harry Potter is a classic example of a protagonist. He is the main character of the series and faces various challenges and obstacles that he must overcome to achieve his goals. He is a symbol of hope, courage, and determination. His journey inspires readers of all ages.cvcvs	Classic Protagonist
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger	Holden Caulfield is another complex character and a classic example of an antihero protagonist. Disillusioned with society and constant struggles with feelings of alienation and isolation, he demonstrates grit and heroism. Despite his flaws, readers feels attraction in his his vulnerability and authenticity.	Antihero Protagonist
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen	Elizabeth Bennet is a strong-willed and independent woman is a female protagonist. She challenges the gender norms of her time. A feminist icon and a classic example of a female protagonist, she demonstrates her wit and intelligence. Standing out from other characters in the novel. He journey toward self-discovery and love is both relatable and inspiring.	Female Protagonist
1984 by George Orwell	Winston Smith is another character who embodies the struggle against oppression and totalitarianism. He is a classic example of a dystopian protagonist who fights against a corrupt government and the destruction of individuality. His journey is a warning against the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of freedom and democracy.	Dystopian
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins	Katniss Everdeen is a strong and independent character who fights against a corrupt government and the oppression of her people. She is a classic example of a female protagonist who defies gender norms and stands up for what she believes in. Her journey toward rebellion and self-discovery is both inspiring and thought-provoking.	Female
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald	Jay Gatsby is a complex and enigmatic character who represents the American dream. He is a classic example of a tragic hero protagonist who is driven by his desire for success and love. His journey shows his fighting against materialism and points to the importance of authenticity and integrity.	Tragic Hero

How to Create a Good Protagonist in a Fictional Work

Creating a protagonist in a fictional work us a challenging yet rewarding task. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Define Your Story’s Theme and Genre: Determine the central theme or message of your story and the genre you are writing in. This will help you shape the traits and qualities of your protagonist to align with your purpose.
2. Establish Goals and Motivations: Decide what your protagonist wants or needs to achieve in the story. These goals and motivations will drive the plot forward and create conflict for him/her.
3. Develop a Backstory: Create a background story for your protagonist. Consider his/her past experiences, upbringing, and life events that have shaped their personality and beliefs.
4. Flaws and Strengths: Give your protagonist a mix of strengths and weaknesses. These flaws make them relatable and provide opportunities for character growth throughout the narrative.
5. Physical and Emotional Traits: Describe your protagonist’s physical appearance. Also go deeper in his/her emotional traits such as fears, desires, and values. This adds depth and complexity to the character.
6. Create Relatable Relationships: Develop his/her relationships with other characters in your story such as friends, family, or mentors. These interactions reveal different facets of your protagonist’s personality.
7. Provide Internal and External Conflict: Introduce both internal conflicts (inner struggles, doubts) and external conflicts (opposing forces, antagonists) that challenge your protagonist and tests his/her mental capability.
8. Character Arc: Plan how your protagonist will change and grow over the course of the story. A compelling character arc adds depth and seduction to the narrative.
9. Unique Qualities: Consider what sets your protagonist apart from other characters in your genre. Unique qualities or quirks make such characters memorable.
10. Name and Identity: Choose a fitting name for your protagonist that reflects his/her character and his/her environment in which he/she lives.
11. Consistency: Ensure that your protagonist’s actions and decisions remain consistent with their established traits, motivations, and development throughout the story.
12. Reader Empathy: Create your protagonist that allows readers to empathize with, making it easier for them to emotionally connect with his/her journey.

Benefits of Protagonist

1. Engaging readers: Well-developed protagonists draw readers into the story and create emotional connections.
2. Driving the plot: The protagonist’s goals and actions provide direction and momentum for the plot.
3. Providing conflict and tension: Antagonists are often pitted against the protagonist, leading to conflict and tension that keeps readers invested in the story.
4. Allowing for character growth: The protagonist’s experiences offer opportunities for character development and growth throughout the story.
5. Encouraging empathy and understanding: Relatable protagonists encourage readers to empathize with different perspectives and experiences.
6. Reflecting societal issues: The protagonists serve as a commentary on societal issues, giving readers a new perspective on relevant topics.

Protagonist and Literary Theory

Literary Theory	Critique of Protagonist	Examples from Literature
Structuralism	Protagonist’s role is reduced to fulfilling predetermined narrative structures, limiting individuality and agency.	In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa’s transformation into an insect symbolizes his loss of identity and agency.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Protagonist’s subconscious desires and conflicts may be ignored, leading to a shallow portrayal of their psyche.	In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy Buchanan masks deeper psychological issues.
Feminist Theory	Protagonist often reflects gender bias and stereotypes, reinforcing patriarchal norms and expectations.	Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre showsthe titular character challenging societal norms of femininity. Yet some argue she still conforms to certain expectations.
Postcolonial Theory	Protagonist’s perspective may perpetuate colonial ideologies, ignoring or oppressing marginalized voices.	Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness shows the protagonist Marlow’s narrative frames of Africa through a Eurocentric lens, reinforcing colonial biases.
Marxist Theory	Protagonist’s class position and socioeconomic context are often overlooked, obscuring the impact of social structures.	In Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, the eponymous protagonist’s struggles as an orphan underscore broader issues of class exploitation.
Reader-Response Theory	Protagonist’s interpretation varies greatly among readers, challenging the notion of a fixed, and universally understood character.	J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye shows that the readers’ perceptions of Holden Caulfield may differ widely, yet they feel influenced about their understanding of the novel.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2014.
2. Bakhtin, Mikhail. The Dialogic Imagination: Four Essays. University of Texas Press, 1981.
3. Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1983.
4. Forster, E.M. Aspects of the Novel. Harvest Books, 1955.
5. Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism: Four Essays. Princeton University Press, 2000.
6. Hutcheon, Linda. A Theory of Adaptation. Routledge, 2013.
7. James, Henry. The Art of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1984.
8. Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale. University of Texas Press, 1968.
9. Showalter, Elaine. A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Brontë to Lessing. Princeton University Press, 1977.
10. Todorov, Tzvetan. The Poetics of Prose. Cornell University Press, 1977.