What is the role of a protagonist in a narrative?

The correct answer is that the protagonist is the main character who drives the story forward. In narratives, the protagonist typically faces challenges, experiences growth, and embarks on a journey that is central to the plot. This character’s desires, decisions, and conflicts engage the reader and are pivotal in moving the narrative along. The protagonist often represents the audience's main emotional investment in the story, as their experiences allow for thematic exploration and character development.

In contrast, the other roles mentioned, such as those creating conflict or remaining static, refer to different types of characters that support the protagonist’s story arc rather than drive it. A background character, similarly, does not play a significant role in shaping the plot or influencing the protagonist's journey, thus highlighting the centrality of the protagonist’s actions and decisions in the unfolding of the narrative.