Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Herzog

If the name of the book didn't give it away, then we know Herzog is the protagonist by the way this book endlessly and painfully dwells on his thoughts and emotions as he struggles with his recent divorce and professional failure.

Whether we like it or not, Saul Bellow takes deep into Herzog's mind and history, eventually showing us how Herzog's childhood might be connected to all the problems he faces as an adult. We might not like Herzog, but there's some part of us that roots for him because, let's face it, his perspective is the only game in town as far as this book is concerned.