Protagonist or Antagonist?

[Theresa Moffitt]

I think he is a protagonist and an antagonist in this book. His character has such an arch - he really changes throughout the course of the book. I thought the author did a great job of making you dislike this character and then feel for him

[Lynsyn]

In my own opinion, he is neither. He may be viewed as a protagonist since the main focus of the story is in Mcdowell's life, and yet he can also be the antagonist since he had caused many grief and pain to the people that surrounded him. But I do think, that in the end, he is none of those because he is only a human who had a lot of unlikable traits as much as the likable traits and just so happens to be the focus of the story.

[holsam_87]

Considering the fact that he was lacking traditional morals, idealistic for his own gain, and he was only courageous for his own gain I think that he has qualities to make him more of an anti-hero than a protagonist.

[Arup343]

It is complicated! Asking the author might help I think!

But, according to me, he is both, the protagonist and the antagonist.

[M Zee]

Some of the best characters are always both.

[TALIA ONYANGO]

I think Hiram is an antagonist. We are introduced to him as a guy having a successful career and modest family. His reputation fades and he had to begin from the grass again.

[TALIA ONYANGO]

I think Hiram is an antagonist. We are introduced to him as a guy having a successful career and modest family. His reputation fades and he had to begin from the grass again.

[Ekta Kumari]

That is the beauty of this novel. The author has managed to convert an antagonist character into a protagonist. Hiram is both and shines as both. His mixed shades make him realistic and believable.

[Nusrat_Shabnam_]

I think he is a protagonist who was acting like an antagonist. His character was too complex.

[Shalu1707]

I think he plays the role of both. A protagonist with his children and when he is on run, and Antagonist in much of the first half of the book.

[Theresa Moffitt]

I'll say Hiram is a complex character, the author did a very good job with him. He's both the protagonist and the antagonist of the story and he fits into both perfectly.

I agree with your comment. I see the character of hiram in both a positive and a negative light. The author created him as a very complex character. I really enjoyed this book

[Samantha Simoneau]

The fact that there is so much discussion about whether or not Hiram is the protagonist or the antagonist and most people agree that he's a blend makes me very intrigued by this book. I love that it's not "black and white."

[Highly Favoured One]

I think he's the protagonist and there is no antagonist. Only that he's a terrible protagonist. He does try to mend his ways in the end, though.

[Anju_9]

I think he's both. The circumstances shaped him to be the protagonist for his family, but for the people around him, he was a villain. He ruined almost everyone's trust to gain the position which made him the antagonist.

[C-Extra22]

Yes he is his own villain because all he had to do was conquer his demons.