Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Henry Wilcox

Mr. Wilcox isn't a bad guy – don't let his label as the "Antagonist" here lead you to believe that. Rather, we might think of him more as a kind of oppositional force. If the Schlegels represent a kind of liberal, idealistic, Romantic (and we meant that capital R) perspective, then the Wilcoxes are their opposites: Mr. Wilcox and his brood of young capitalists are conservative, pragmatic realists. However, as the novel goes on and the tragic events of the conclusion force everyone to reevaluate their positions, Mr. Wilcox's firm position breaks down, and he (like Margaret, and even Helen) ceases to antagonize.