Maggie, in contrast, is less a person than a sentimental, fairy-tale conceit: a tragic affliction, an artistic attitude and an unchecked libido conjured out of thin air to test her lover's resolve and deepen his soul.
These attitudes had tragic consequences that ultimately transformed his views of virtue and power and altered his ambitions.
The ministry later said the comments did not reflect his "real attitude to the tragic situation", and said the minister wished Mr Bulatov a speedy recovery.
Such an attitude stems from a tragic misconception of time, from the strangely rational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills.
The tragic mask is in position when it needs to be, but more often he moves through a maze of attitudes and observations, making fun of them, fixing them for ever with a few deft strokes.
Their attitude towards the Iraqis is tragic, it's awful".
As if in reflection of most Americans' unease with the dark side of Depression-era attitudes, however, material that had tragic import for 1930's audiences was swiftly demoted to the stuff of comedy instead.
The death of individuals is a tragic outcome of war, and Trent Lott's cavalier attitude toward the death and abuse of the Iraqi soldiers is an embarrassment to this country.
The attitude is chilly and cynical; the tragic finale foreordained.
Similar attitudes are behind one of the tragic realities that statistics reveal even better than poignant individual stories: girls are more neglected than boys so an age pyramid in parts of the world shows more living boys than girls.
Although women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict, their experiences and instrumental contribution to peace are often overlooked This tragic case must bring about a sea change in attitudes to womens' rights.
