Cathedral

An antihero is the main character in a story, who lacks conventional heroic traits. The narrator is Cathedral, who remains unnamed throughout the story, is often seen as an antihero because he tends to drink too much and because he smokes marijuana. In addition, he isn't very nice.... he's jealous, he makes fun of people, and he tells inappropriate jokes. All in all, he is very unlikable.... and would by today's standards considered a bully.

So how dies the narrator become the hero? Well, over the course of the story we learn that he really is a nice guy. He loves his wife, and once he gets over his jealousy he's genuinely nice to her friend. As reader's we come to like him, and even if we don't, there are always a few debatable reasons who we should.