Final answer:
An anti-hero is a central character who lacks typical heroic qualities and overcomes obstacles despite their flawed nature, not because of virtuous or heroic traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
An anti-hero is a protagonist in a story who lacks conventional heroic attributes and moral goodness but still has a deep connection with the audience. Anti-heroes may display traits that are antithetical to traditional heroes, such as moral ambiguity, flaws, and sometimes reprehensible behavior. While a hero typically overcomes adversity by virtue of their heroic qualities, an anti-hero does so despite their personal shortcomings. Therefore, anti-heroes defeat obstacles in spite of their own flawed character.