While reading, The Antagonist by Lynn Coady, patterns based on archetypal characters similar to those of other stories can be found. The main character, Gordon symbolizes not only a brute but also a hero as he was used as “the clean-up squad” (96) and had to deal with the trouble makers that frequented his father’s ice cream shop.
Gordon again shows himself to be a hero when he displays an act of justice and stands up for the highland dancer Kyle was dating and who he thought that Kyle had hit. Gordon confronts his friend about the incident and explains that he feels that Kyle mistreats women based on the incident he thought he overheard. Initially, Gordon was ready to hit his friend in the girl’s defence but he held back from throwing the punch based on his experience when his father put him in the role of an enforcer and he seriously hurt Croft. Gordon demonstrates that he had learned from his past and shows restraint before he acts. He also did this when his university hockey coach said, “either fight tonight or leave”(169) he choose to walk out midway through the play-off game, knowing that it would cost him his scholarship, proving to the reader that he was not only thinking of others but of any consequences his actions cost him. This view of the main character being a hero reveals about the text a more in-depth view of Gordon’s personality and what he feels is right. Once the reader understands that Gordon is acting in the way that he feels is righteous the decisions he makes begin to seem more planned out rather than rash outbursts.
Adam can be viewed as the protagonist in the book because his novel is the “driving force behind the plot”.(dictonary.com) Adam’s character is seen as the villain in the story because he has betrayed his friend by writing a book based on Gordon’s deepest secrets and provoked the hero Gordon by creating a book about him. Adam being the bad guy gives the hero, Gordon a purpose as he is trying to reveal the truth behind Adam’s lies. Gordon is viewed as the antagonist who is the “opposing force in a fictional story” (dictonary.com). Through his emails and recollections he reveals his side and offers an opposing view in response to what Adam had written. The book’s title lets the reader know what to expect from the main character and that this will be a novel about conflicting views.
Other archetypal characters in the novel are Gordon's mother and father. His mother Sylvie is seen as a wonderful and loving caregiver who takes care of Gordon. She is represented as someone that is pure while his father is described as controlling and verbally abusive. Gordon refers to his mother as the “the goddess”(14). She symbolizes both The Innocent and The Caregiver and acts as the great mother. Whereas, Gordon’s father would be viewed as The Ruler whose desire is to exercise control and power. His relationships with both of his parents reveal about Gordon where his sense of right and wrong is derived from and how this helps him make decisions throughout his life.
Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 07 May 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment