Transcript Protagonists / Antagonists

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(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Protagonists / Antagonists
Examples from Children’s Books
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit
& Other Favorite Stories
By Beatrix Potter, Illustrator Charles Santore, Publisher Running Press
Let’s Begin with
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit
& Other Favorite Stories
By Beatrix Potter, Illustrator Charles Santore, Publisher Running Press
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• Peter Rabbit
• He learns why he should
not go into Mr.
McGregor’s garden.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit
& Other Favorite Stories
By Beatrix Potter, Illustrator Charles Santore, Publisher Running Press
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• Mr. McGregor
• He does not want
rabbits in his garden.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
How did you do?
Were you able to find the protagonist and antagonist?
Let’s try another
story . . .
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Winnie the Pooh’s Honey Adventures
Adapted & Published by Disney, By Isabel Gaines, Illustrator Nancy Stevenson
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• Winnie the Pooh
• He thinks his problem is
that he is out of honey, but
learns that his love for
honey is the problem.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Winnie the Pooh’s Honey Adventures
Adapted & Published by Disney, By Isabel Gaines, Illustrator Nancy Stevenson
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• The bees
• Through defending the
honey, they cause Pooh to
see that his obsession is
complicating his life.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Were you able to find the protagonist and
antagonist before I told who they were?
Let’s try another
story . . .
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Duck for President
By Doreen Cronin, Illustrator Betsy Lewin, Publisher Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• Duck
• Wanting an easier life,
Duck runs for office and
wins. He learn that life on
the farm was the easiest
life of all.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Duck for President
By Doreen Cronin, Illustrator Betsy Lewin, Publisher Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• The Political Process
• It forces duck into more and
more areas of responsibility as
he continues to win elections.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
How did you do this time?
The antagonist was harder to locate because it was
not a character (person or animal).
It was a thing.
Let’s try another
story . . .
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Tortoise and the Hare
By Betty Miles, Illustrator Paul Meisel, Publisher Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• Hare
• He thinks talent over drive
will win the race. He
learns that drive plays an
important part in winning.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Tortoise and the Hare
By Betty Miles, Illustrator Paul Meisel, Publisher Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• Tortoise
• He is slow, but steady, and
causes Hare to realize that
drive can win over talent.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Although Hare and Tortoise
were both main characters,
one animal changed,
and one animal remained the same.
Let’s try another
story . . .
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Green Eggs and Ham
Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss, Publisher Beginning Books (Random House)
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• The “I” in the story
• He fights against change
until he learns that some
changes are good.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Green Eggs and Ham
Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss, Publisher Beginning Books (Random House)
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• Sam
• He pesters the protagonist
until the protagonist tries
something new.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Although Sam has more of a presence
(personality) in this story, he does not change.
Only the “I” changes. Did you catch that?
Let’s try another
story . . .
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Horrible Harry and the Green Slime
Story One: “Secret Pals”
By Suzy Kline, Illustrator Frank Remkiewicz, Publisher Puffin Books
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• Harry
• He learns that sometimes
best friends must keep
secrets from each other.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Horrible Harry and the Green Slime
Story One: “Secret Pals”
By Suzy Kline, Illustrator Frank Remkiewicz, Publisher Puffin Books
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• The “I” character
• “I” does not waver in
doing what is right for his
best friend.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
This story is told from the perspective of “I.” It
also has more to do with how the “I” is feeling, but
the story is about Harry--a very interesting mix.
Let’s try one last
story . . .
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Hat
By Jan Brett, Illustrator Jan Brett, Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Protagonist:
Which character changes the
most in the story?
Answer:
• Hedgie
• He tries not to look foolish
until he must admit that
clothes do not belong on
animals.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The Hat
By Jan Brett, Illustrator Jan Brett, Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Antagonist:
Which character causes the protagonist
to change the most in the story?
Answer:
• The hat
• The hat causes Hedgie to
eventually admit that
animals should not wear
clothes.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
Did you figure it out?
Remember that no matter what kind of
children’s book you are writing, you need to
clearly define your protagonist and antagonist.
NOW, look through a few of your favorite
children’s books to pick out the protagonists
and antagonists.
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert
The End
Go Back to the Course Lecture
And Continue Reading!
(c) 2004 by Sheila Seifert