What is the antagonist in the novel, We Were Liars?

Gatwick Matthew Patil (Gat) is the antagonist of the novel though he is not antagonistic purposefully. Gat is the nephew of Carrie’s boyfriend Ed. He is allowed to come to the island because he and Johnny are friends. However, Gat is of Indian descent. His dark skin contrasts starkly with the pure white skin and blond hair of the Sinclairs. Though they try to be accommodating, it is clear from the first time that Harris and Tipper see Gat and Ed that they don’t like them. Even Cadence, who is just a child, notices the change in her grandmother’s expression when she sees the two. Through their summers together, Cadence and Gat fall in love with one another. Harris sees the developing love affair and gives Gat veiled threats to leave Cadence alone. Cadence describes Gat as being contemplation and enthusiasm, ambition and strong coffee. Although he loves Cadence, he tries to convince her that her and her family’s way of life on the island is not perhaps what she thinks it is. He sees the family’s materialism and bigotry long before the cousins are drawn into the fights over possessions by their mothers.