What term describes a person or group that bears the blame for another?

The correct term that describes a person or group that bears the blame for another is "scapegoat." This concept originates from ancient practices where a goat was symbolically burdened with the sins of the people and then sent away, absolving the community of their wrongdoing. In literature and social contexts, a scapegoat serves the function of absorbing blame or punishment for the actions of others, often to divert attention or responsibility away from those truly accountable. This term is commonly used to illustrate themes of injustice, victimization, and the dynamics of blame in human relationships.

The other options, while they might relate to wrongdoing or suffering in different ways, do not encapsulate the concept of bearing blame for someone else. An alibi refers to a claim or evidence that one was elsewhere when a crime was committed; a hero is typically someone celebrated for their bravery or noble conduct; and a victim is someone who suffers from a crime or harmful act. None of these terms capture the specific function of a scapegoat in a narrative or social context.