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The Character Conundrum

The psychology, flaws, and hidden depths of an unforgettable protagonist.

C. L. Nichols's avatar
C. L. Nichols
Sep 16, 2025
∙ Paid
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More than a name on a page, a protagonist possesses fears, desires, and contradictions.

Every decision and action stems from desire. A hero without a driving need just goes through the motions.

In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s surface-level goal is money, to provide for his family after his cancer diagnosis. Dig deeper. His real desire is control.

He spent …

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