THE ANTIHEROIC PROTAGONIST IN BARBARA KINGSOLVER’S DEMON COPPERHEAD
Abstract
In order to establish a clear understanding of the antihero, it is important to examine the concept of hero. Terminologically, the hero is defined by Chris Baldick as a main character in a narrative or dramatic work, which should not be mistaken for the usual sense of heroism (Baldick, 2001, p.330). Joseph Campbell’s understanding of the hero, on the other hand, focuses on the self-submissive dimension of traditional heroes, highlighting the inner reconciliation and personal transformation of the protagonist (Campbell, 1949, p.416). Northrop Frye further discusses different representations of conventional heroes, arguing that the hero can either be superior to the common man while remaining subject to social criticism, thus belonging to the high mimetic mode, or be not superior to other men and to his environment which belongs to low mimetic mode (Frye, 1957, p.34).References
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- Kingsolver, B. (2022). Demon Copperhead. HarperCollins.
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