Zhang Beihai from Three Body Problem: Hero or Villain?

Zhang Beihai's Character

• Zhang Beihai is seen as a hero by some: "Truly an awesome character, the embodiment of survival at all cost."
• Others see him as a villain: "Wade is the villain. His attitude will destroy the universe."
• Some find him humorous but not to be taken seriously: "he's an excellent and funny character, I often laughed at him because of how cartoonish and buffoonish he is."

Comparison to Other Characters

• Beihai is contrasted with other characters like Cheng Xin, representing absolute survival versus humanity: "I love the parallels; Wade vs Cheng, absolute survival vs humanity."
• Cheng Xin is seen as a symbol of humanity's compassion, contrasting with Beihai's survival instincts: "This is probably the biggest, quickest NTA I've ever seen."

Criticism

• Some comments point out flaws in Beihai's decisions and behaviors throughout the series: "Ew. Not the living Marlboro Man trope... The dude was wrong 90% of the time until his final days."
• The complexity of Beihai's character is explored, revealing both positive and negative aspects: "I agree Cheng Xin was a flawed character...but I would say she's not a bad character."

Themes Explored

• Discussion surrounds the themes of morality, survival, and leadership as portrayed through Beihai's character: "I think the book kind of 'debunks' him."

Conclusion

• Beihai's character elicits mixed reactions, with some viewing him as a hero for his survival instincts and others as a villain due to his actions.
• The complexity of Beihai's character allows for varied interpretations and discussions on morality, leadership, and human nature within the context of the story.