Connection Conclusion
This is more of a functional summary than a final word on the subject; this is what has been established thus far:
The tragic and American heroes have many traits in common, such as idealism, as exemplified by the possibility of success needing to exist in tragedy and the endless chasing of an ideal in the American Experience. This ideal-chasing is also something that links them; not only is it the essence of the American hero, it is also usually what the tragic hero does in attempting to move up to their rightful place in society and "evaluating themselves justly." Essentially, chasing an ideal is an integral part of each character type, so the chances of the two intersecting (i.e.: an American hero eventually becoming a tragic one, as well) become extremely high.
Also, they are linked by their idealism; the tragic hero must be idealistic to believe they have the possibility to succeed at their destined failure, just as the American hero must be the same way in order to chase an unattainable ideal. The tragic hero's "personal sense of dignity" and "rightful place" also contribute to the American hero's concept of individualism and questioning the known order; both are guaranteed to rebel against society, making their goals similar and therefore their characteristics and archetypes more identical.
These two heroic archetypes are actually demonstrated to be one and the same; an American hero has all of the qualities and essentials that qualify them as a tragic hero, as well.
The tragic and American heroes have many traits in common, such as idealism, as exemplified by the possibility of success needing to exist in tragedy and the endless chasing of an ideal in the American Experience. This ideal-chasing is also something that links them; not only is it the essence of the American hero, it is also usually what the tragic hero does in attempting to move up to their rightful place in society and "evaluating themselves justly." Essentially, chasing an ideal is an integral part of each character type, so the chances of the two intersecting (i.e.: an American hero eventually becoming a tragic one, as well) become extremely high.
Also, they are linked by their idealism; the tragic hero must be idealistic to believe they have the possibility to succeed at their destined failure, just as the American hero must be the same way in order to chase an unattainable ideal. The tragic hero's "personal sense of dignity" and "rightful place" also contribute to the American hero's concept of individualism and questioning the known order; both are guaranteed to rebel against society, making their goals similar and therefore their characteristics and archetypes more identical.
These two heroic archetypes are actually demonstrated to be one and the same; an American hero has all of the qualities and essentials that qualify them as a tragic hero, as well.