Who Is The Antagonist In 'The Girl Who Drank The Moon'?

The antagonist in 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon' isn't your typical mustache-twirling villain; it's more of a systemic evil that's been festering for generations. The real villain here is the Witch of the Protectorate, but she's not even a real witch—she's a fabrication created by the Elders to maintain control over the people. These Elders, especially Sister Ignatia, are the true antagonists, manipulating the town's fear of witches to keep them submissive. They perpetuate this lie by sacrificing a baby every year, claiming it's to appease the witch, when in reality, they're just power-hungry tyrants.

What makes this so chilling is how ordinary their evil is. Sister Ignatia isn't some supernatural monster; she's a human who's convinced herself that her cruelty is necessary. She's backed by the High Council, a group of equally corrupt leaders who benefit from the suffering of others. The way they gaslight the entire Protectorate into believing in this fake witch is downright psychological horror. It's not just about physical control; it's about dominating minds and hearts, making people complicit in their own oppression.

The contrast between the Protectorate's fake witch and the actual magical beings in the story—like Xan, the real witch who's kind and nurturing—is brilliant. It shows how fear is weaponized by those in power. The Elders aren't just villains; they're a commentary on how authoritarian systems operate, using myths and lies to justify their cruelty. That's what makes them so terrifying—they're not fantastical. They're real, and they're everywhere.

In 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon,' the antagonist is this whole oppressive system, but if I had to pin it on one person, it’s Sister Ignatia. She’s the mastermind behind the Protectorate’s lies, the one who keeps the fear of witches alive to control everyone. What’s wild is how she genuinely believes she’s doing the right thing, which makes her even more dangerous. She’s not some cartoon villain; she’s the kind of person who’d smile while ruining lives, convinced it’s for the greater good. The way she manipulates the town into sacrificing babies under the guise of protection is downright chilling. It’s not just her, though—the entire High Council is in on it, but she’s the ringleader. The scariest part? People like her exist in the real world, hiding behind tradition and authority to justify their cruelty.