The Importance of Tragic End

Happy end? Again? Really?

In nowadays romance novels, we come to know the term HEA (Happily Ever After), HFN (Happy For Now), ETR (Epic Tragic Romantic). Many readers and even publishers demand HEA. Theory goes that HEA gives the readers a good feelings after reading, thus it's more preferable. ETR is the least wanted ending, so I heard. But let's see whether ETR is really bad or not.

As human beings living in a world full of problems, we prefer to read (and watch) things which can make us smile with much satisfaction in the end. However, such stories are unrealistic! It's like reading modern fairytale. Real life doesn't always give happy end. That's the fact. Like it or not, tragedy can also be a good commodity for stories/movies.

DEFINITION
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From what I gather online, there's a clear definition regarding HEA, HFN, ETR ending:

* HEA: main characters are happily ever. Most stories end in a happy marriage or engagement.
* HFN: main characters are still happy but their future is not guaranteed. Most end in dating scenes or sexual relations.
* ETR: one or both characters die. Readers scream, "Why?!"


GOOD ETR
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The famous example of ETR is James Cameron's Titanic: tragic love between Jack and Rose. We see how they fall in love and how they fight to survive. But in the end, Jack still dies. The movie is also closed with an ending which can be construed as a death scene. Nevertheless, the movie actually has a fake ETR because we're shown that Jack and Rose's spirits are happy in the afterlife. Most people love that movie! Some even watch multiple times. If ETR were so bad, logically that movie should have sunk into the bottom of Atlantic.

Another ETR example is Madame Butterfly (based on true story). We watch how Rene Gullimard fell for a Chinese actress Song Liling and married her, even brought her to France. In the end, Song turned out to be a man! Feeling betrayed, Gullimard chose to keep the memories of  female Song in his mind as he commits suicide. This ETR story has been made into movies and also plays. Again, if ETR were so bad, logically no one would have wanted to watch it.

Alright, perhaps you may protest that Titanic and Madame Butterfly are movies. Well, what about Romeo and Juliet. Two lovers fight to be together and they are so close to happy-end, only to be ruined by misunderstanding. And death befalls them both. ETR haters will have to explain why this tragic stories have been retold & rewritten so many times. 

ELIMINATING ETR = "TRAGEDY"
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The importance of ETR can be seen from comparing Madame Butterfly's ETR ending and its real-life not-so-tragic ending. In the play/movie, the French man chooses death by sword. He prefers to preserve the fake memory of his beloved "wife" in the after life. I haven't watched the movie yet but just by reading its entry in Wikipedia, I'm already touched. What a sad yet beautiful romance.

The real story isn't as sad as the play version

The real life which doesn't involve tragedy simply states that the Chinese gay man/ transgender is released and he has no contact with the French man. The French man cuts off all communication. However, in 2009, the Chinese man dies - 70 years old. Before he dies, he admits he still loves the French man which is responded coldly by the French man. The sadness is still there but not as beautiful as the fiction.

Sure, you can argue, "Why not create a true HEA ending for them?" But that's beside the point because I'm trying to show the importance of ETR by showing how boring a story is without ETR.

BAD ETR

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However, to be fair, I also need to show bad ETR. The first thing that comes to my mind is City of Angels. Seth loves a human named Maggie, so much, that he's willing to give up his angel status and become a mortal. Yet, afterwards, suddenly Maggie is dead! Her death is so fast and so unexpected that audience will gasp. And then we'll have a mixed feelings of dissatisfaction asking why Maggie is killed. Her death is not anticipated! It seems that bad ETR happens when tragedy comes without warning.

CONCLUSION

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We all hate tragedy, fiction or not. But we also have to face the truth that tragedy is an inseparable element in our lives. If it's used wisely, it can boost the story. But if it's not, then readers/audience will protest.