The Structure of Tragedy

Continuing the discussion, a dramatic tragedy has the inverse pattern of the comedy. That is, in a tragedy, the second plot point (between acts two and three) is a high point that precedes the descent into perdition, where the film ends. This high point is often an 'if-only" point, a place where if only they had stayed there, they would have been happy.

Examples:
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: there's a point where they've becomes successful bank robbers in Bolivia. The threesome enjoys a celebratory dinner, ... and then they spot the guy in porkpie hat. The rest of the story is all descent. Note also that in this dramatic tragedy, the protagonists died because they couldn't overcome their tragic flaw, their need to make a living by robbing banks.

- Double Indemnity: there's a point where Walter Neff and Phyliss Dietrichson have gotten away with the murder. If only they had stayed there, instead of getting greedy.

- Election: there's a point where protagonist Jim McAllister happily prepares for a tryst with his best friend's ex-wife AND Tracy Flick hasn't been elected AND his life is still intact. If only he could have remained at that spot.

Another point is that sometimes, right around the if-only point, nature gives the tragic hero a warning. In Election, Jim McAllister is stung by a bee. In Affliction, the protagonist gets a toothache. If only these tragic protagonist had heeded that warning.