I’m wondering if there are some good examples of Main Characters who not only aren’t the Protagonist, but where it’s SUPER OBVIOUS that they are not the protagonist. I think such stories would be useful for explaining the difference between MC and Protagonist to people not versed in Dramatica.
It sounds like To Kill a Mockingbird may be a great example, but I’ve never read it.
Princess Bride is a decent example. The only problem is some people might argue that Westley is the main character…!
The Matrix is actually a pretty good example for the first half. After that, Neo starts believing in himself and in their ability to affect the Matrix (Trinity: “No one’s ever done anything like this before.” Neo: “That’s why it’s going to work.”) and becomes more protagonist-y.
One thing to remember though, is that the Main Character will always be important in some way to the Overall Story – at the very least, their Unique Ability is an overlap between the MC and OS throughlines, and is related to the Goal. So people might always be able to find a scene or two they can use to argue the MC = protagonist.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a great example. Also, The Shawshank Redemption, Big, Sicario, and to a lesser extent (meaning perhaps not SUPER OBVIOUS), Michael Clayton.
I’ve written a few stories where the MC is not the protagonist and while I enjoy the process, the challenge of getting readers from professional services who haven’t been otherwise brainwashed can be a frustrating endeavor. The last script I sent out I had two readers say there was “a perspective problem.” Rather than arguing, I decided not to use them again though I don’t mind taking shots at articles from time to time like I did for Sicario where Cinema Blend faulted the movie for a perspective problem in their review - sometimes you’ve just got to call them out and hope they’ll eventually see the light.
Ooh, Sicario – great example (and I’ve read your article before, fantastic work). Man I wish I hadn’t watched that film on the plane; the ending got ruined by interruptions. I’ll have to watch it again, along with Shawhank.
I’m thinking The Caine Mutiny also applies – I don’t recall the MC ensign guy pursuing very much in the overall story about the crazy captain and the mutiny, anyway. He was just a follower.
I posted something on this just now. I think Richard Gere’s character (impact character) in “Pretty Woman” might actually be the antagonist. Dwayne Johnson’s character (also an IC) in “Central Intelligence” seems clearly the protagonist.
Amerian Gods (Neil Gaiman) also has a very clear Non-Protagonist MC. He is also supper passive, so he violates another tenet that many people espouse: the Protagonist/MC must be proactive! (They don’t see a difference between the two.) I’m curious how they are going to deal with this in the upcoming TV adaptation. I talked to one of the writers a long time ago, and he admitted it was an issue.