If there was only one protagonist in the first few chapters of a novel, it was not necessarily bad. It depended on the plot and theme of the novel. If the protagonist was clearly stated at the beginning, then in the readers 'perception, he had already become the protagonist of the novel. This would give the readers a strong sense of identity and make it easier for them to immerse themselves in the plot of the novel. However, if the protagonist only appears after a few chapters and his image and background story gradually unfold, the reader may feel a little confused and not know how to understand and grasp the plot of the novel. At this time, the image and role of the protagonist could be highlighted to guide the reader's attention and thinking. In addition, if the theme of the novel involved the more concentrated aspects of the characters, such as the inner world of a certain character, personality characteristics, etc., then the uniqueness of the protagonist may also be beneficial to present these elements to the readers more deeply. To sum up, whether a novel only had one protagonist in the first few chapters depended on the plot and theme of the novel, as well as the author's writing techniques and skills.