Painterly tarnished medal on a frayed ribbon beside a fallen toy soldier.

Original artwork, not a still

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Show me a hero, and I will write you a tragedy.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

A hero is presented as the starting material for tragedy rather than a guarantee of triumph. The speaker’s promise gives admiration a darker narrative possibility. Someone’s exceptional qualities or status can belong to a story of suffering, even when the word hero initially suggests success.

Context reviewed

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