Protagonist

Definition

A main character of a literary work facing the main conflict. Can be either "good" or "bad".

In Action: In "The Most Dangerous Game" the protagonist is Rainsford. This character is usually considered the "good guy". In "Cask of Amontillado" the protagonist is Montressor. Montressor is seeking revenger and commits murder at the end of the story ("bad guy")--he is still the main character facing the main conflict. In "The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant" the narrator (the 14 year-old with a crush) is the protagonist.