ISU ESSAY
Almost all-modern tragic hero's go from high to low status. During the fifties within the scattered mob scene of New York many tragic heroes can be seen. Henry Hill from Wise Guy can be seen as a modern tragic hero from his acceptance into the mob and through his downfall. Through his suffering and injustice, his sense of triumph and his sacrifices he develops the characteristics of being a modern tragic hero.
Henry Hill starts as a young teen in search for a part time job. This simple search ends up in a life long vow to a Mafia family in the early fifties. Henry Hill wanders across the street from his New York resident home into a cabstand to apply for a part time job. After being hired he ends up working much more and for much longer than he would think. Through all his fun and enjoyment out of the Mafia the end is bitter.
"and everyday I was learning something. Every day I was making a dollar here and a dollar there. I'd listen to schemes and I watched guys score"
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As per these words it is shown that he is enjoying his upbringing into the mob, not knowing what will come of all this. This also adds to the blindness factor of the story. In the end the Mafia is cracked down by the FBI and the Police, many people are murdered and arrested. Henry Hill is thrown in protective custody following this crackdown. Through the entire book the tragic hero (Henry Hill) moves from happiness to misery through some frailty or error. The errors being the multiple crimes that are committed. Never the less until the final moments the Mafia always gave Henry a feeling of pride and happiness.
Wise Guy also shows a sense of triumph even during the character's downfall; there are always benefits. Nearing the end of the story the Mafia family pursues to murder Henry Hill to prevent him from squealing on the entire situation. Before this can be done Henry Hill is placed under pro...