DefinePK

Research Objective

To analyze Francis Andrews, the protagonist of Graham Greene's The Man Within, as a tragic hero who deviates from Aristotle's concept of a tragic hero.

Methodology

Qualitative textual analysis of Graham Greene's novel The Man Within. The research involved close reading of the text to identify themes, character development, and conflict resolution, focusing on excerpts related to the research question and objective.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Identify Research Objective"] --> B["Select Text: The Man Within"];
    B --> C["Conduct Qualitative Textual Analysis"];
    C --> D["Close Reading and Excerpt Selection"];
    D --> E["Analyze Character Deviations from Aristotelian Ideals"];
    E --> F["Compare Andrews to Aristotelian Concepts: Hamartia, Catharsis, Pity, Fear"];
    F --> G["Formulate Key Findings and Discussion"];
    G --> H["Draw Conclusion"];                    

Discussion

The paper argues that Graham Greene reimagines the tragic hero archetype for modern literature by blending existential crises of contemporary anti-heroes with the emotional depth of the classical model. Andrews' humble origins, constant fear, self-deprecating nature, doubtfulness, hyper-reactivity, self-pity, scapegoating tendencies, immaturity, lustful nature, and dependence on others all highlight his departure from Aristotelian ideals of nobility, virtue, and a singular tragic flaw. While he evokes pity and fear, these emotions stem from his relatable human struggles and psychological torment rather than the grand downfall of a noble figure. His catharsis is not a purification but an unsettling immersion in his psychological torture and moral ambivalence. His Hamartia is multifaceted, rooted in personal trauma and social circumstances, particularly his abusive relationship with his father, rather than a single inherent flaw.

Key Findings

Francis Andrews deviates significantly from Aristotle's ideal tragic hero. He originates from humble beginnings, lacks nobility and virtue, and is characterized by cowardice, inner conflict, and moral ambiguity. His journey of fear, self-pity, and limited courage is compared to Aristotelian ideals of Hamartia and Catharsis, revealing how modern narratives rework classical literary frameworks.

Conclusion

Andrews represents a modern retelling of the tragic hero, expanding the concept beyond Aristotle's definition. His relatable flaws and humble beginnings evoke a raw, humanized pity and fear, demonstrating that an ordinary person can be as tragic as classical princes or kings, appealing to modern readers.

Fact Check

Claim: Francis Andrews is the protagonist of Graham Greene's The Man Within. Confirmation: The text consistently refers to Francis Andrews as the protagonist of The Man Within*.
* Claim: Aristotle's tragic hero is of noble birth. Confirmation: The text states, "Aristotle defines a tragic hero as a character who embodies noble qualities yet possesses a tragic flaw... Aristotle posits that the tragic hero should be a figure of high social standing or nobility."
* Claim: The paper uses qualitative textual analysis. Confirmation: The methodology section explicitly states, "The qualitative research design was followed because the researcher had to use descriptive data from the novel The Man Within by Graham Greene."

Mind Map