What hope is there that the law can make any difference in these fragments that form a mosaic of impending social tragedy that is as much a part of the American bicentennial observance as are TV specials and patriotic oratory? (religion-online.org)
While the film's plot does become loose at times late in the second half, it is one of the few shortcomings and one that's forgotten during a highly emotional finale that balances social tragedy with a glimmer of fantasy befitting of friendship's positive nature. (impulsegamer.com)
But deep as was the sense of personal tragedy in Hawthorne and Melville, it was part of a larger vision of social tragedy. (religion-online.org)