Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Cholly Breedlove

Cholly is cowardly and abusive. His actions all point to him as the novel's antagonist: he begins seeking an escape from his family as soon as Pauline gives birth to Sammy; he hits Pauline; he tries to set the house on fire; and he rapes his young daughter. Yet it is important to note that thought the narrator doesn't excuse his behavior, by presenting a picture of his rough past, he is portrayed someone sympathetically.