As far as “Her Fearful Symmetry” — that’s another one I want to read! (Since I liked Niffenegger’s “Time Traveler’s Wife” so much — heard this one was just as clever.) Anyway, haven’t read it yet, but I’m guessing there’s still one main protagonist. (Although the word “symmetry” in the title does suggest that maybe there’s a strangely simultaneous plot going on?) But there’s almost always a “main” one. Who is the character who is mentioned mostly in the book (or who the book is about)? That would be your protag. Anyone else is probably playing a different role. (There are “foils,” etc.) I’ll see if I can find all that info on all the different roles. … It’s kind of fun to try to identify everyone!

I also love the man vs. environment conflict – I’ve ready many good books in that area.

I want to know, can a character being both a protaganist and another protaganist’s antangonist? I was trying to apply all this to a book I just finished – Her Fearful Symmetry – where there are multiple protaganists.

I think you should teach a class……