Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Leonards

Elizabeth Gaskell is willing to extend sympathy to pretty much any character in this book except for Leonards. But hey, every book needs a bad guy, right? Readers, like haters, gonna hate. Leonards is a rude, lazy drunk who seeks out every opportunity to take advantage of people. He's the guy who tries to arrest Frederick and get him executed, and all because he wants the sweet cash reward.

As far as antagonists go, though, the guy doesn't last very long. He kicks the bucket shortly after his one and only appearance in the book. We hate to celebrate anyone's death, even the worst d-bag character's, but woo-hoo! We definitely toasted Elizabeth Gaskell with a cup of Earl Grey tea when we read this.