Ethan Frome As A Tragic Hero
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According to Aristotle a tragic hero must posses certain qualities those of which are that they must be a virtuous person of high estate, they must also posses a tragic flaw, usually hubris, which leads to the persons fall. In Ethan Frome it is arguable that Ethan is a tragic hero, because he fits most of Aristotle's Criteria for a tragic hero. By examining Ethan Frome, one can determine that he is the novella tragic hero.
In Ethan Frome Ethan's tragic flaw is a feeling of obligation towards his peers, especially Zeena. In the introductory stage of the book, Ethan was planning on leaving Starkfield and becoming a scholar in science (11). His strong sense of obligation made him return to his parents when they became ill (11). When Ethan's parents get ill he hires Zeena a nurse to care for his mother. In turn Ethan feels obligated to marry Zeena. Ethan's tragic flaw is hubris and his sense of obligation because he is too proud, which is one of Aristotle's criteria for a tragic hero.
Ethan does not come from a noble or high position, as Aristotle would consider it, he is still a noble and virtuous man because he tries to do what is right or what he feels he is obligated or responsible to do...