How Does Neanderthal Patrick Compare To Other Novel Protagonists?

Neanderthal Patrick is a breath of fresh air in a world of overused tropes. While many protagonists are either hyper-competent or burdened with tragic backstories, Patrick is neither. He’s just a guy trying to navigate a confusing world, and his struggles are oddly relatable. Think about it: how often do you see a protagonist who doesn’t understand sarcasm or gets baffled by smartphones? His fish-out-of-water perspective adds humor and heart to his story, making him stand out from the crowd.

What’s even more interesting is how Patrick defies the 'growth arc' expectation. Most protagonists evolve into better versions of themselves, but Patrick’s journey isn’t about becoming 'civilized.' It’s about staying true to himself while learning to coexist with modern society. This subversion of the typical hero’s journey makes him memorable. Unlike characters like Katniss Everdeen or Harry Potter, whose stories are about rising to the occasion, Patrick’s story is about finding a place where he belongs without changing who he is.

Neanderthal Patrick stands out because he's not your typical polished hero. Most protagonists in novels are either flawlessly brave or tragically doomed, but Patrick feels raw and real. He's clumsy, awkward, and sometimes downright frustrating, but that's what makes him relatable. Unlike the brooding vampires or suave spies dominating fiction, Patrick is just a guy trying to survive in a world that doesn’t quite get him. His struggles aren’t epic battles against dark lords—they’re about fitting in, understanding emotions, and dealing with modern life as someone who’s literally from another time. It’s refreshing to see a protagonist who isn’t 'chosen' or destined for greatness but still manages to carve out his own quirky path.

Comparing Neanderthal Patrick to other novel protagonists is like comparing a cave painting to a Renaissance masterpiece—both have value, but they’re fundamentally different. Patrick isn’t a hero in the traditional sense. He doesn’t have the wit of Sherlock Holmes, the charm of Elizabeth Bennet, or the tragic depth of Holden Caulfield. Instead, he’s an outsider in every way, and that’s his strength. While most protagonists are defined by their intelligence or resilience, Patrick’s appeal lies in his innocence and unfiltered honesty. He doesn’t play social games or hide his feelings, which makes his interactions hilariously awkward yet endearing.

Another key difference is his lack of grand ambition. Most protagonists chase love, revenge, or destiny, but Patrick’s goals are simpler: food, shelter, and maybe a friend. This makes his story feel more grounded, almost like a slice-of-life comedy in a sea of high-stakes dramas. Even his 'villains' aren’t evil masterminds—they’re just people who don’t understand him. In a literary landscape full of Chosen Ones and antiheroes, Patrick’s ordinariness is what makes him extraordinary.