Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is the protagonist of a work?

1. The main villain of the work.

2. The narrator of the work.

3. The central character of the work.

4. The author of the work.

The correct answer is: The central character of the work.

A) A protagonist is the main character and not necessarily a villain. The antagonist is the character who opposes the protagonist. B) While the narrator may be an important character, they may not necessarily be the protagonist. The protagonist is the main focus and driving force of a work. D) While the author may create the protagonist and their story, they are not considered the protagonist themselves. The protagonist is a fictional character within the work. The correct answer is C. The protagonist of a work refers to the central character who drives the plot and is typically seen as the "hero" or main character of the story. The other options are incorrect because A) the protagonist is not always a villain, as an antagonist is the opposing force to the protagonist; B) a narrator may not always be the protagonist, as they may be an observer or secondary character within the story;