A View From The Bridge

        Catherine also played a large part in Eddie’s downfall.  Even though Eddie was another figure in her life she should have realised that he was actually her uncle. She acted like a baby and forgets that she is a young woman “…You still walk around in front of him in your slip …” and “… You throw yourself at him like when you was twelve years old…”. She did not act like a niece towards him

and she did not give Beatrice and him space. Some times she acted more like a wife than a niece.”… I can tell that he’s hungry or wants a beer before he even says anything…”.  This also made Eddie feel closer to Catherine. Catherine’s character was very weak. She lived most of her life living by the rules of Eddie and she did not sand up for herself.  She also did not ask permission from Eddie before she stated going out with Rodolfo.  She always lived in fear of Eddie which made him feel that he was the boss of her life. When she actually stood up for her self she acted bitterly towards him “… what’re you scared of? He’s a rat! He belongs in the sewer!”. She forgets that Eddie has raised her and has looked after her since she was a baby. She also antagonises him by dancing with Rodolfo “… you want dance Rodolfo…” even though she knew Eddie would not approve.  

        Rodolfo’s behaviour towards Eddie also leads his death. Rodolfo did not ask Eddie’s permission before dating Catherine like he would normally do in Italy

“…In your Town you wouldn’t drag off some girl without permission…”.  He kept Catharine out late at night. He also got closer to Eddie to get revenge for the time Eddie had punched him “…Dance Catherine. Come…”. He was also ungrateful towards Eddie and forgot that Eddie was the one that gave them a place to stay. He did not see that Eddie was committing a crime by housing him and Marco. Rodolfo also encouraged Catherine to stand up against Eddie. He said things to her like “…  Then why are you afraid? That he’ll spank you..” which made Catherine realise how much Eddie controlled her life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

        Marco also played a part in Eddie’s downfall. Marco disrespected him and took away his pride in front of everyone on the street by pointing to Eddie and saying “…That one! I accuse that one!” indicating that Eddie betrayed them. Italians believed that helping their family was their duty and if anyone betrayed their family they were dishonourable. When Marco accused Eddie on the street he made it clear to everyone about Eddie’s betrayal so that Eddie would pay for it by having no respect amongst his friends and neighbours. Marco also stood up for his brother when he lifted the chair off the ground showing Eddie that he was stronger than him and that he was prepared to fight for hi brother if he needed to.

        Eddie himself was one of the main cause of his death. He did not realise that Catherine was his niece and that she wasn’t his daughter. He was too attached to her and found it hard to let go of her “…If it was a prince came here for you it would be no different…”. He did not accept her loving someone else except for him and he started to make Rodolfo sound bad. The main reason for his downfall was the way he kept his feelings a secret “…I mean like me I can’t cook, I can’t sing, I can’t make dresses, so I’m on the water front. But if I could I could cook, If I could, sing, if I could make dresses I wouldn’t be on the waterfront. (He has been unconsciously twisting he newspaper in to a tight roll. They are all regarding him now; he senses he is exposing the issue and he is driven on)…”The reader can tell what’s going through his mind however the characters can’t. Eddie also acted to drastically by reporting Marco and Rodolfo immigration. He could have resolved the matter calmly.

        In conclusion I think everyone was to blame for Eddie’s downfall. Each person contributed to his actions and each character disrespected him. However I think that Eddie was the main person to blame. He didn’t know the boundaries between him and Catherine. He also should have accepted that Catherine was in love with Rodolfo and not him. I also think that Eddie was unfair, he expected everyone else to live by Italian rules however he himself did not obey them by betraying his family.

Priya Patel 10E