Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Henry Stagg

Although there are points in the novel when Jason and Henry are friendly—even sharing some pretty personal stuff atop the water tower during their first joint climb—Henry provides opposition to Jason that drives the story forward. It is arguable that Jason would not have developed the CTG in the first place had Henry not laid him out on his back beneath the tower, in a dazed state suited to contemplation.

Plus Jason's competition with Henry for Magda's affection—whether real or imagined—contributes to the CTG schism and leads to Henry's final crutch assault on Jason. Henry took things too far by bringing the hacksaw to the tower, without which the gang would not have gone swimming and incurred the associated high penalties.