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ANALYZING ANTAGONIST AND PROTAGONIST IN LITERATURE.
Amrullayeva Maxliyo Abdurahmonovna
Tashkent Academic Lyceum No.2 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the
Republic of Uzbekistan.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14637711
Introduction:
In literature, the antagonist and protagonist are central
figures in the story who drive the plot through their opposing goals and
conflicts. Here’s a breakdown of each role: Protagonist The protagonist is the
main character or central figure in the story. They are often the character the
audience roots for, but they don’t always have to be "good" (e.g., anti-heroes like
Walter White from Breaking Bad). The story typically revolves around their
goals, challenges, growth, and eventual resolution.
Key words:
protagonist, antagonist original text, text, patchwork,
plagiarized not given statement.
Harry Potter in Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and
Prejudice by Jane Austen Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games by Suzanne
Collins Antagonist
The antagonist is the character or force that opposes the protagonist,
creating conflict. They are not always evil but have goals that clash with the
protagonist’s objectives. The antagonist could be a person, society, nature, or
even the protagonist’s inner struggles. Examples: Lord Voldemort in Harry
Potter by J.K. Rowling Mr. Darcy (initially) in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Capitol in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Relationship Between the
Two The conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist creates tension,
drives the narrative, and develops the story’s themes. The resolution of this
conflict usually marks the story's climax and leads to the resolution.
Here are examples of protagonists and antagonists from two different
genres you might find interesting: --- 1. Science Fiction Protagonist: Rick
Deckard (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick) A bounty
hunter tasked with "retiring" rogue androids in a dystopian future. Antagonist:
The Androids (such as Roy Baty) Advanced machines seeking freedom and
survival, opposing Deckard's mission. Protagonist: Mark Watney (The Martian
by Andy Weir) A stranded astronaut struggling to survive alone on Mars.
Antagonist: Nature/Mars The harsh, unforgiving environment of Mars
constantly threatens his survival. --- 2. Mystery/Thriller Protagonist: Hercule
Poirot (Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie) A brilliant detective
solving a murder aboard a luxurious train. Antagonist: The Murderer(s)
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Individuals with motives to kill, who try to outwit Poirot and hide the truth.
Protagonist: Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson)
A brilliant hacker with a troubled past, working to uncover dark secrets.
Antagonist: Wealthy, corrupt individuals and systemic oppression A family with
deep, dark secrets and societal forces that try to silence her.
1. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville Protagonist: Captain Ahab A whaling
captain consumed by his obsession with hunting the white whale, Moby Dick.
Antagonist: Moby Dick The great white whale that Ahab seeks to kill,
representing nature, fate, and Ahab's inner demons. --- 2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte
Brontë Protagonist: Jane Eyre An orphaned young woman striving for
independence, love, and self-respect in a harsh society. Antagonist:
Society/Personal Adversaries Characters like Mrs. Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and
the societal constraints of Victorian England that stifle her agency and
happiness. --- 3. 1984 by George Orwell Protagonist: Winston Smith A
disillusioned member of a totalitarian regime who dreams of rebellion.
Antagonist: Big Brother/The Party The oppressive government that controls
every aspect of life, stifling freedom and individuality. --- 4. Wuthering
Detailed Analysis of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë --- Protagonist: Jane Eyre
Character Traits: Jane is intelligent, independent, moral, and passionate. Despite
her difficult upbringing, she remains strong-willed and determined to live on her
own terms. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she seeks love, belonging, and
equality. Challenges Faced: Jane faces numerous hardships throughout the novel,
including abuse, neglect, poverty, and societal limitations placed on women of
her class. However, she consistently maintains her integrity and refuses to
compromise her values for comfort or security. Motivations and Growth: Jane
craves love and connection but insists on remaining true to herself. She refuses
Mr. Rochester's proposal to live as his mistress, showcasing her commitment to
her principles. Ultimately, her resilience leads her to a balanced and equal
partnership with Rochester. ---
Antagonists: The story’s antagonists take various forms, including people,
societal norms, and internal struggles. 1. Mrs. Reed: Jane’s cruel aunt, who treats
her with disdain and neglect. Mrs. Reed’s actions isolate Jane and force her to
develop independence at a young age. 2. Mr. Brocklehurst: The hypocritical
headmaster of Lowood Institution, who imposes harsh discipline and religious
austerity on Jane and her peers. He represents the oppressive societal forces
that suppress individuality and self-expression. 3. Society and Class: Victorian
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England’s rigid class structures and expectations limit Jane’s opportunities as a
poor, orphaned governess..
The list of used literature:
1. ALLEN, Harold B., CAMPBELL, Russell N. Teaching English as a Second
Language: A Book of Readings. 2d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill International,
1972. ISBN 0-07-001071-4.
2.. BILLOWS, Frederic Lionel. The techniques of language teaching. London:
Longmans, 1961. 4. BROWN, Douglas. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive
Approach to Language Pedagogy. New York: Longman, 2001. ISBN 0130282839.
3. BROWN, H. Douglas. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to
Language Pedagogy. New York: Longman/ Pearson Education, 2001. ISBN 0-13-
017816-0.
