However, we can analyze the characters to understand their roles in the story:
Potential Protagonist:
* Patrick: He's the main character, the one whose story is most closely followed. He faces the challenges of his mother's addiction and the traumatic events that unfold. His journey to overcome addiction and find his own voice could be seen as a protagonist's arc.
Potential Antagonists:
* Sarah (Patrick's mother): Her addiction to drugs drives the conflict of the story and causes immense pain for Patrick and the other characters. Her actions could be seen as antagonistic towards her family.
* Addiction itself: The novel explores the destructive nature of addiction, which acts as a force that breaks down relationships and causes harm. This could be seen as a more abstract antagonist.
Other Important Characters:
* Cassie (Patrick's sister): She faces her own challenges, including dealing with her mother's addiction and navigating her own adolescence.
* Patrick's father: Though he tries to help, he struggles to cope with his wife's addiction and the impact it has on his family.
Important to Note:
The novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, addiction, and trauma. The characters' actions are driven by their own experiences and struggles, making it difficult to neatly label them as simply "good" or "bad."
Ultimately, it's up to the reader to interpret the characters and their roles in the story.