Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Robert Oppenheimer

Robert Oppenheimer is our clear protagonist: We root for him to "win" the arms race throughout the entire book. Even in the epilogue, when we learn about how Strauss unfairly persecutes poor Oppie, we hope he'll find a way to come out on top. He's a flawed man—his association with Jean Tatlock and his failure to report Chevalier's proposition are two problems—but he's a good man we have no problem supporting.