Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Bernice

Bernice, as the title of this story indicates, is definitely the protagonist of this story. Even at her least appealing, we still sympathize with her; the fact of the matter is, she simply doesn't understand the new world she's been thrust into. Fitzgerald is also clearly sympathetic to his heroine, and he constantly reminds us of the fact that she's simply a product of her upbringing, which was sheltered, conservative, and, honestly, a little snobby. She wins us over even more in her resolution to throw off the judgmental tendencies and expectations her mother instilled in her and become her own person. Her active decision to try and change herself inside and out is what establishes her as an active, determined force in the story.