Society is the antagonist in this story (the options are the protagonist himself, another character, Nature, or Society). The police are not a force in and of themselves; they are representative of an entire society that, apparently, sanctions the actions of the police. Despite Mr. Chiu's membership in the Communist Party, for some reason, people who have a higher status in society than he does have decided that he is suspect. Perhaps they desire to make an example of him; perhaps the author comments on the corrupt workings of a government that embraces Communism and the dangers such a government poses to its citizens. However, regardless of the reason for the antagonism, it is the state (or society) that acts as Mr. Chiu, the protagonist's antagonist.
In Ha Jin's story "Saboteur," the police are the antagonists, as they are constantly in opposition to the protagonist, Mr. Chiu. When he is peacefully eating with his new wife, a policeman tosses tea on their feet. When Mr. Chiu complains, the police deny their actions and arrest him, charging him without evidence with being a saboteur. Although Mr. Chiu is a Communist Party member, the police have long been acting against him and have compiled a large dossier against him. Mr. Chiu is sick with hepatitis, but the warden in the prison refuses to help him. In the end, Mr. Chiu must sign a false confession of his crimes so that he and his former student can be released from jail. The police, who accuse him without any reason and who show disregard for his health, are the antagonists in this story.
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