Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Per Hansa

We might not like the guy (or maybe we do), but Per Hansa is definitely the protagonist of this book. Yes, we get some insight into other characters' minds, but Per pulls on the narrator's attention with a lot more gravity than anyone else. His joys are our joys and his struggles are our own.

We do have the benefit, though, of seeing certain shortcomings that Hansa can't see himself, at least not until the end of the book. By this point, it's too late to repair the damage done to Beret's mind and to Per's relationship with her. And this doomed realization only makes Per a more central (and tragic) character.