Two main character arcs
In “Ugly Girl” there are two main characters and they are equally important in my story. Both have things they think they want and both have different things they actually need. Personally, I dislike very much the structure where character one, let’s call her Zuzanna, is telling the things that are happening from her perspective and the other, let’s call him Ciaran, from his point of view. Both are talking about I this, I that, I did so and so, I was angry, I was disappointed, etc. In romance books and thrillers the change in POV is often in the chapter’s title. Zuzanna in chapter 1, Ciaran in chapter 2, alternating through the plot of the story until they fuck their brains out in the ever satisfying climax of the story. In thrillers, I usually skip one of those POV’s, so I actually read half of the book. I find it confusing to identify with two characters. Those are essentially two books I’m reading, crammed into one.
And yet, the learning curve of my two main characters is equally important. So after consulting my mentor the Internet, I think I found a solution for this: to separate the protagonist from the main character.
Famous example
Protagonist
- The protagonist is the central figure who drives the plot forward.
- The story is about their goals, actions, and conflicts.
- They usually face the main challenge or antagonist.
Main Character
- The main character is the character through whose eyes we experience the story.
- They may or may not be the protagonist.
- The main character is often the narrator or the emotional anchor for the reader.
In Sherlock Holmes stories:
- Sherlock Holmes is the protagonist.
- He solves the crimes.
- The plot revolves around his brilliance, his deductions, and his actions.
- He drives the story forward.
- Dr. John Watson is often the main character.
- He is usually the narrator.
- The reader sees the events unfold through his perspective.
- He provides the emotional lens—his awe, confusion, and admiration for Holmes shape how we perceive Holmes.
Example:
In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Watson goes to Dartmoor ahead of Holmes and narrates what he observes. The story is still about Holmes solving the case—that makes Holmes the protagonist—but we experience most of the mystery through Watson’s perspective, making him the main character.
Summary:
Role | Sherlock Holmes | Dr. Watson |
Protagonist | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Main Character | ❌ Usually not | ✅ Usually yes |
What does it means for my story
We see Ciaran through the eyes of the Ugly Girl, Zuzanna. No flipping around POVs and we see, and hopefully feel, the change that Ciaran is going through. Going through the pains of adolescence, making mistakes and learn from them, and finally… completing his arc somehow. And as he changes, we will see Zuzanna change as well. I hope it will work out the way I need it to.
