Final answer:
Robert Warshow's concept of the American movie gangster as a 'tragic hero' is rooted in the idea that the gangster's tragic flaw leads to a downfall that echoes classic tragedies. Characters like Rico Bandello and Tony Camonte are emblematic of this trope, rising to power through unlawful means, but ultimately facing destruction due to those same corrupt qualities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Robert Warshow contends that the American movie gangster, exemplified by characters like Rico Bandello in Little Caesar or Tony Camonte in Scarface, represents a kind of "tragic hero." Warshow saw the gangster figure as a tragic hero due to his ultimate downfall being caused by the very traits that propelled him to success in the criminal underworld. These characters climb to heights of power through violence and defiance of societal norms but are ultimately undone by these same qualities. Their fall from grace is precipitated by an inherent flaw or moral transgression, a common element in classical tragedy.
This tragic notion resonates with the modern audience's reality because these characters embody the pursuit of the American Dream gone awry. They are relatable, not because they are heroic in the traditional sense, but because they strive for success and recognition - aspirations that are deeply ingrained in American culture. Yet, their methods are corrupt, and their victories are pyrrhic, leading to inevitable destruction. Thus, the tragedy of the gangster hero in Warshow's conception lies in the character's inescapable path to ruin, despite, or because of, his extraordinary rise.