I need to find a prose extract of either a tragic hero or a novel that covers the downgfall of a protagonist. It has to be a novel AFTER 1770 (so NO Shakespeare etc!)
Many thanks in advance!
2007-03-01 23:14:34 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Frankenstein - by Mary Shelley...
In the novel the creation, Adam, is a misunderstood tragic hero... in the film, though, he is a mindless and frightening idiot!
There is also the Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy. It tells the story of a lowly farm worker - Michael Henchard - who becomes a mayor - but then falls from grace. Henchard fits the definition of a tragic hero in a book that incorporates elements of classical tragedy.
Another tragic hero is Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984 - fighting against the establishment - only to get severely punished...
Yet another is Jim from the novel Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. He is a young and ambitious sailor who dreams of being a hero at sea. However, when Jim thinks that the Patna is sinking, he jumps overboard, leaving many pilgrims behind to die...
2007-03-01 23:17:24 · answer #1 · answered by sidneyaliasbristow 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You've got some great examples so far (Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and George Orwell's 1984 are both good representatives). If you're looking for more, though, you can try Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, The Awakening by Kate Chopin, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (he meets his downfall, but I'd define him as more of an anti-hero than a tragic hero, if that matters), and Moby Dick by Herman Melville. You've a pretty broad selection now in terms of genre and style. I'd recommend something like The Awakening, which is short enough that you can read through it quickly and written in a clear style that should allow you take excerpts that illustrate the main character as a tragic heroine.
2007-03-02 09:44:54 · answer #2 · answered by ap1188 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think many of the answerers here are taking your question out of context. The "downfall" of a protagonist does not necessarily mean his/her death. Modern literature is full to the brim with tragic heroes. I've seen a few good examples so far...Dorian Grey for one.
Humbert Humbert, the narrator from Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita is another great example. He doesn't die at the completion of the novel...but he is certainly "tragic", and led there by his own tragic flaws.
Rabbit Angstrom from John Updike's "Rabbit" series of books is another fine example. Tragically flawed, and destined to be a tortured protagonist.
A couple more, just off the top of my head. Robert Jordan from Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls and Raskolnikov from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
Good luck.
2007-03-02 16:49:47 · answer #3 · answered by commercial_ink 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow - interesting question in that on first reading this I thought it would be easy. However given the 'after 1770' caveat it's actually quite difficult. Which makes me wonder why the fascination in the classic tradition with the tragic hero?
In terms of more modern literature does a heroine count? If so Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy is a perfect example of a novel covering the tragic twists of fate that compound the choices and decisions made by the heroine and ultimately propell her to her downfall.
Actually - even more modern and a much more accessible/relevant example would be Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman.' Perfect! Trust me. ;-)
2007-03-02 07:19:40 · answer #4 · answered by Nix 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
An interesting, literary example is Sinclair Lewis' Elmer Gantry. I've attached a link to the novel. There is also a movie, too. Elmer Gantry is a preacher and also a con-man in a sense, and he has some bad habits. He falls in love and tragic things happen. In the end, he has had a downfall, but also is redeemed. I don't want to ruin the story for you, but this is a great example you should check out.
2007-03-02 11:11:06 · answer #5 · answered by Bud 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot, or Tess of D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.
2007-03-02 07:36:26 · answer #6 · answered by Dowland 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Another one might be Tender Branson in 'Survivor' by Chuck Palahniuk (he of Fight Club fame).
Or the 'hero' of the Iain M. Banks novel, 'Consider Phlebas'. He turns out to be fighting on the wrong side...
2007-03-02 13:07:45 · answer #7 · answered by tjs282 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Winston Smith in Orwell's 1984 - I'm pretty sure he was defined as a tragic hero in my English Lit "O" Level, many tears ago!
2007-03-02 07:25:32 · answer #8 · answered by markhintnorth 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
aww poo! Macbeth is a really good example of a tragic hero tale, shame u cant use it!
Prob best best using something like 'the picture of Dorian gray' by oscar wilde or 'Wuthering Heights' by one of those brontes lol! if u need a loan ive got em all lol!
2007-03-02 13:03:41 · answer #9 · answered by fifs_c 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Winston Smith in George Orwell's "1984".
2007-03-02 07:25:14 · answer #10 · answered by ivallrod 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋