It's hard to say if Pranab completely fits the criteria of being a tragic hero, because he seems like he's pretty happy by the end of the book. Oh, and he's not dead. Like Mreenal, he has been removed from the complicated web of Sujata, Aloka, and Nina, no longer to meddle in with their lives (this is symbolized by their inability to make it to the party)
Larger than life:
Pranab is an idealist. Though he starts from humble beginnings, he proves himself to be a prodigy in terms of term according to Aloka and Sujata's father, and is well rehearsed in Sanskirt and poetic language and customs, as well as music and dance, which attracts Aloka and Sujata to him. Pranab is also determined to become a greatleader as he eventually plans a worker's rebellion within Aloka and Sujata's family tea business in order to give better rights to the workers.
Tragic flaw:
Aside from hubris (Shown by Pranab's anger at the insolence of New Yorkers, and his increasing frustration with not being able to secure great, influential jobs in America), Pranab's greatest flaw is his own fear. He is unable to face difficulties and instead recedes into his shell once he has lost control. As stated by Aloka to Pranab:
"And, I must say, you were a very attractive man, even as recently as that time in Brooklyn when I saw you dancing. I saw then how powerful you still could be, and I told myself it wasn't that you lacked talent, energy, or intellect. It was just your self-pitying attitude, and if that could be corrected, I was sure you could make a go of it in New York. Then you'd hold no bitterness toward me or feel threatened by my strength and adaptability." (270) (Right after this Pranab has his moment of anagnorisis.)
Driven by an impossible dream:
One of Pranab's impossible dreams seems to be to regain as much control as he has over the workers in Darjeeling back in New York-- he has been disillusioned, perhaps, by the prospects of the American Dream (Gatsby, anyone?) Another impossible dream he has involves trying to relive the past. He really wants Sujata back, even though Sujata has long overcome what has happened before and can now rise above it.
Expects more than the world can give:
Well, this is also evidenced by Pranab's attitude in New York as well how he treats the sisters. Pranab wants Sujata all to herself, even though she has recently been pursuing Mreenal Bose, a sign of the times and how he has moved on. He expects to come into New York and be hailed as a hero of the tea industry, or a soon-to-be hero that will take New York by its rein with his profound knowledge of Sanskrit and music. He returns to Darjeeling expected to be treated as royally and as kindly as he did in the old days, unable to accept that time has passed.
Must fail:
IN one sense, Pranab has definitely failed in trying to repeat the past with Sujata as well as Aloka. And he has not necessarily gained the greatness and power that he had hoped for in the beginning. However, Pranab has managed to find serendipity as he learns to lower her priorities in order to make a compromise with the struggles of is surroundings, as he tells Sujata that he was learning to admire the simpler pleasures in life, in a way discussing that although his first dream may have failed he himself was not a failure and simply had to have a change of heart:
"'Maybe I reached too high, maybe we're not all capable of greatness. From now on, I'm going to concentrate on small activities, like getting some young boy excited about Sanskirt literature. Perhaps it's enough to influence one mind, not hundreds. As I get older, I am finding more satisfaction in simple pleasures. I guess I've finally acsepted being ordinary." (294)
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