A View From The Bridge.

A View From The Bridge

Annie Davies 10c/v

The play ‘A View from the Bridge’ is set in the late forties in Red Hook, “a slum facing the bay on the seaward side of Brooklyn Bridge…the gullet of New York.”

It is a poor community, consisting in large part of Italian immigrant relying on the uncertain livelihood on work at the docks

Life wasn’t easy. The area is -merican, and therefore has very strict catholic morals, values and social conventions.

Immediately Eddie, a forty year old, husky slightly overweight man is introduced to the audience. Eddie is fundamentally a simple, straightforward guy who works on the piers when there was work brought home his pay, and he lived. Family orientated, and very hardworking, Eddie likes to feel in control of him self, his home and the people around him and because of this he will not allow himself to be criticized. He likes his evolving world to stay the same and faces tremendous problems, as Catherine grows... He lives with his wife, Beatrice, a simple good woman whose problems seen incidental to the major tragedy of the play. He is Catherine’s uncle but he behaves as a father and a friend to her, already at our first sight of them together, iwe can see an tense relatinship. But what exactly does he feel towards her? .

In addition, a neutral character helps the audience understand the complex views of the characters, explaining the ups and downs of the Carbone family. He is a symbolic bridge between American law and tribal laws. He is a well-educated man who studies and respects American law but is still loyal to Italian traditions. Alfieri introduces Eddie with a brief speech, and then the story begins. From his narration, it seems that Alfieri has decided to tell the story for his own reasons as much as anyone else's. He does not find a conclusion after telling the Carbone story, but tells it nonetheless and he speaks and reveals his honest view of the facts. Alfieri admittedly cannot help Eddie Carbone, but must powerlessly watch the tragic events unfold before him “and sat there powerless as I watched it run its bloody course”. There is no illusion of reality, Alfieri purposely breaks the fourth wall and talks to the audience during the rebuilding of the story. He is the teller of and incredible story that he cannot change. Alfieri takes the part of the of the chorus, but also plays a part taking the role of lawyer and adviser to my hero Eddie Carbone.

Eddie is the tragic protagonist, meaning that he is the central character whom the tragedy befalls. But is he the tragic hero? Do we find anything heroic in Eddie?

When the audience is first introduced to Eddie and the Carbone family Beatrice mentions to Eddie the job Catherine has taken. At first we see Eddie’s great hesitation to this and is certainly not keen on Catherine’s acceptance of the job. Catherine is the best student in her class and Eddie wishes her to further her studies and move away from the neighbourhood. Eddie admires education, as he received little or none, we see his first compliments to Catherine is ‘You look like one of them girls that went to collage.’ Like a proud father, he wants the very best for her. Eddie also has some news, Beatrice’s cousin have arrived (illegal immigrants from Italy) Rodolpho and Marco, they were not expected so soon¸ Beatrice state is described as ‘unutterable joy.’

But soon Eddie gives his warning that everyone should keep his mouth shut so that nothing will happen. He then refers back to Vinny Bolzano, that told on his own family, he lost his good name and his honour ‘how’s he gonna show his face?’ ironically he finds it horrifying now.

Before the news of Catherine’s possibility of a job, Eddie finds moments of tension in signs that she is growing up (her short skirts, older hair styles, high heels and ‘walking wavy’) or being too friendly to men (Louis). Is he just being protective or does he want her to stay his little girl forever?

We see Beatrice forcefully trying to show Eddie the realism, which he should let her go and grow up and take the job without Catherine feeling guilty.

Things do begin to change when Rodolpho and Marco arrive. Eddie welcomes them with open arms obviously, he may even feel sorry for them, especially Marco as he has left his family behind, coming only to New York for money to support his wife and children, he doesn’t want to cause any trouble, he keeps thanking people frequently, he wonders if they can accommodate them in such a small house he doesn’t want to pressure anyone. Rodolpho however proves to be a disturbing character to Eddie, with his blonde hair and his high tenor voice. At first the only sign of difference in Rodolpho is his blonde hair (but claims are that Danes invaded Sicily). It is not until later that Eddie drops hints that it maybe dyed.

Rodolpho is young immature and excited, he loves being the centre of attention and begins to show it as the subject of him singing, he boasts about been able to sing ‘Napolidan’ means folk songs. After his entire extravagant showing off, he sings Paper Doll. Eddies reaction is ‘look, kid; you don’t want to be picked up, do ya?’ meaning that as there has not been any singer in the house and now there suddenly is then people may get ideas. But we see Catherine takes a shine to Rodolpho, her response is not as balanced, she reacts to his blonde hair as a miracle and she finds his singing ‘terrific’ and she very quickly checks if he’s married. Is there anything in Catherine’s background that makes her fall in love at first sight? Eddie can see ray but does he wants to block it? We see Rodolpho’s flirtatious confidence carried over from Paper Doll; she offers sugar he accepts eagerly. It is ‘not’ been made obvious they are ‘Sweet on one another’ and Eddies ‘face is puffed with trouble.’

From then on their relationship quickly develops onto a more ‘friendly’ one

We can see that Eddie is clearly not happy with Catherine’s attraction to Rodolpho. He maybe jealous of the fact he has not got the attention from her onto him, now it has moved to her new lover.

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From then on their relationship quickly develops onto a more ‘friendly’ one

We can see that Eddie is clearly not happy with Catherine’s attraction to Rodolpho. He maybe jealous of the fact he has not got the attention from her onto him, now it has moved to her new lover.

Before they return, an extended choric part lets the audience see how deep-rooted are the troubles that have come to the Carbones. He forgot about his wife. When is she going to become his wife once more? It has almost been three months! Beatrice feels as though Eddie is treating her more like a friend that a wife because although things seem fine to others, there sexual relationship is extremely unstable and virtually non-existent. Beatrice tell Eddie how upset she is about the relationship ‘you want somethin’ else Eddie, and you can’t have her’

She almost becomes jealous of Catherine, she keeps trying to tell him to let go but will he? She needs s to grow up.

Eddie and Beatrice are waiting for them to arrive back from the paramount cinema; he seems quite annoyed that Catherine is not back yet. When they do, Eddie has a talk to Catherine, he tries confusing her feelings of Rodolpho by upsetting Catherine but also himself, he argues with her by saying that Rodolpho is using her to gain his American passport, but he’s not just worried with the whole ‘passport’ situation, he finds Rodolpho ‘weird’. In his build up from his worrying about their late return he speaks ‘he gives me the heebie-jeebies’ and obsessive raving about Rodolpho’s blonde hair and his singing, to the conclusive statement: ‘For that character I didn’t bring her up’ But why does he object, is it because he is weird? Because he thinks Rodolpho is after a passport? Or does he have a longing desire for Catherine? Or perhaps as Beatrice suggests, he’s unable to accept that she is growing up?

Even though he tries to argue against Catherine’s romance, Beatrice stands tall against Eddie, she sticks up for Catherine a lot, we can see that Eddie is just jealous of Rodolpho and is making up excuses to not like him. He needs to understand that she has fallen in love with Rodolpho and he can’t stop this love it is unbreakable.

Eddie is now so concerned about losing his niece that he decides to visit the lawyer Alfieri. This is the first time we meet Alfieri as a character of the play rather than the narrator. Eddie is hoping that this call on will take the dilemma from him. He thinks his burden here is a crime. However Eddie needs to accept that it is not, it is life, and no matter how close the family member is they will move on. After all, is it not that Eddie and Rodolpho have not got the same background, was it that he was in the same shoes as Rodolpho? They are past and present illegal immigrants.

Alfieri may not be a chorus is this scene but he does not abandon this position. He soon begins on Eddie, ‘I remember him now as he walked through my doorway- His eyes were like tunnels; my first thought was that he had committed a crime,’ the answer is no, Eddie wanted to know if a crime had been committed except Alfieri could only see in Eddie a passion. It had taken him over ‘moved into his body.’ Alfieri does not understand what he can do for Eddie there is nothing wrong! Illegal immigrant falling in love with a girl. So? Alfieri repeats to Eddie throughout the dialogue the idea of ‘law’ and ‘legal’. He cannot help Eddie; there is nothing to back Eddie’s case. Although Eddie always follows up with ‘I know’ and, ‘I see’ the conversation carries on going like this as though it is never to end, Alfieri keeps trying to tell Eddie that the law cannot solve his predicament. Eddie is embarrassed of his almost daughter being Rodolpho, ‘They’re laughin at him on there piers, I’m ashamed’

Alfieri may seem as though he is being unsympathetic and he gives the same advice on what his wife B. has given him. Eddie is in a state of self-denial he can’t admit his feeling for Catherine even through Beatrice and Alfieri has tried to explain to him. He has the inability to face up to the truth, to the reality of his feelings toward Catherine. ‘Every man’s got somebody that he loves, heh? But sometimes… there’s too much…and its goes where it mustn’t’.’ The audience can see that Eddie has refused to face the facts, that he has strong feelings for Catherine. This forces him to him to seek his own solution.

The character I feel most sympathy for is Beatrice because, she is stuck right in the middle of it all, she does try and solve the circumstances but finds it very hard to turn Eddies stubborn ways. She is losing her husband, to her niece, which she also loves dearly. Beatrice in my opinion has accepted too much, she is being ignored by Eddie and walked over by his selfish ways. These events are hard on Beatrice and cannot handle them, but it is worth considering that in some ways it maybe her own fault any way, she could have done averted situations in many ways. Trying with Eddie might not have worked and she decided to sort it out with Catherine, key words in her conversation to Catherine are ‘baby,’ ‘little girl’ and ‘grown woman’. Catherine is not guilty in any real sense of the word, but Beatrice makes it very clear she has helped foster eddies feelings for her, not deliberately, but by her girlish affections. ‘You’re a woman, that’s all, and you got a nice boy, and now the time has come when you say good-bye. All right?’ She has great strength and tries so greatly, to which point I feel sorry for.

All are now in the house, conversations are flowing. Eddie raises the topic of Catherine and Rodolpho and works himself into a state of subdued rage. He suggests that Rodolpho might like to spar with him and learn how to box. He cannot resist the temptation of sly strike out at Rodolpho. Eddie though is friendlier here to Rodolpho and speaks to him by name and by nickname (‘Danish’ because of his blonde hair etc) a rarity for Eddie. He does not really hurt Rodolpho and avoids humiliating comments. All the points he is making are symbolic, not real. Even though rodolpho doesn’t totally suspect what Eddie is trying to achieve, but Marco is clearly unsure about Eddies behaviour, in the background watching in deep gaze, he responds at last; family loyalty is greater than his concern not to irritate his benefactor, Eddie he walks over the atmosphere now feeling ever so tense makes it certain that Eddie knows he isn’t weak mentally or physically. Catherine asks Rodolpho to dance and the song is still Paper Doll. Then asks can you lift the chair using only one hand, Eddie asked puzzled ‘what do you mean?’ but when he fails to do this, Marco stands up, bends down, takes hold of the chair leg, and lifts it slowly above his head ‘like a weapon’. Eddie seems quite intimidated by this, and back down sheepishly, Marco changes his expression from a ‘glare of warning’ into a ‘smile of triumph’ this scares Eddie, his grin evaporates as he takes in Marco “scowl”

Eddie maybe thinking this way of getting to Rodolpho is not a good route around, if Eddie causes problems with Rodolpho then he has Marco to deal with. This act comes to an end, it leaves the edge of seat effect and that’s why this part is so affective what is going to happen next?

Rodolpho has not been hired to work the docks and takes the advantage of this to spend the day at home with Catherine. He shows more confidence and maturity here now that he is alone with Catherine. Catherine talks about moving away back to where Rodolpho live in Italy, he thinks it is rather foolish; there is nothing there for her or for him. But her reason is not just to see Italy; there is a more sinister reason.

Catherine says ‘I’m afraid of Eddie here.’ She is shrewd enough to see that Eddie could ruin their marriage, while at the same time being generous enough to admit what he has done for her. She is clever enough to know that Eddie can be deceived (‘tell him you’d live in Italy-just tell him’) and loving enough to want to be happy. She loves Rodolpho so much but she also expresses her love for Eddie and at that moment she knows she must give it up-and that’s why she cries.

By this time Eddie enters, he arrives intoxicated with whisky and discovers Catherine and Rodolpho leaving the bedroom together, the mood here totally changes, the loving security of the bedroom is broken into. Eddie is loud and staggering. Eddies knows he cannot now avoid violent actions.

‘Don’t make me do nuttin’’, he pleads with Catherine, and he threatens Rodolpho, ‘just get outa here and don’t lay another hand on her unless you wanna go out feet first,’ but these demand are not going nowhere, they do not accept them. Catherine says if Rodolpho goes then she will leave also. Rodolpho has been chosen over Eddie, this makes Eddie even more furious. He begins shouting once again how disrespectful that they both are he then turns and very unexpectedly kisses Catherine. There maybe many reason for this at this point (the whisky, he is drunk for one thing), but also the symbolic force of saying ‘you aint goin’ nowhere’ in an action not words.

Rodolpho does not know what to do, if he hits Eddie he shows disrespect, as this is Eddies home and there are rules which are expected to be obeyed. But if he just stands there he demonstrates that he is powerless. The kiss that Eddie has shown is by no means of lust but desperation as Catherine has been showing more interest in Rodolpho. Then Rodolpho gives a clear statement ‘she’ll be my wife!’ followed by an attack on Eddie which he knows won’t work, but unavoidable after Eddies taunting. He must fight to prove his manhood. But Eddie pin him down then kisses him, instead of seizing the opportunity to beat him up. Catherine still in shock and frightened then screams ‘I’ll kill you’. Eddie pulls away from Rodolpho realising the stupidity of his actions. Rather than showing Catherine that he is right abut him, he forces Catherine now to grow further apart from him.

Once again Eddie resolves to his lawyer once again. Alfieri would have normally have gone home by now, but he had just been sat looking at the bay and when he saw Eddie walking through the doorway, he knew why he had waited.

In this second visit of eddies the conversation stays fairly short between them both he discusses once again Rodolpho and Catherine, at that stage he is very unstable, he detests Rodolpho and as has be come infatuated with Catherine. Eddie has had no relationship with Beatrice for the past few days and when Alfieri once again tell him he cannot help him, the law has nothing to offer Eddie and the most important speech of Alfieri’s actually spells out natural moral law; ‘The law is only a word for what has a right to happen’. The importance of family is re-stated here (‘her mother’ll turn over in the grave!’) as is Eddie’s conviction that Rodolpho ‘aint right’ Eddie. Eddie is still insisting that in the kissing episode shows that Rodolpho is no man; Alfieris question, ‘What did you do that for?’ seems a more greater searching of unseen aims. The scene here is very brief, and ends with Eddie being lured to the telephone. The only solution that seems to be left to Eddie that he must call the Immigration Bureau and grass Rodolpho up to get rid of him once and for all, he wants his Catherine back, but this way means he will not be welcome in his community, Alfieri calls onto him’ You won’t have friend in the world, Eddie! Even those who understand you, even the ones who feel the same will despise you!’ but he is still apparent at the phone.

‘Give me the number for the Immigration Bureau’ Eddie has chosen now to ring and notify the Illegal Immigrates. He gives the address and he’d done it could he maybe later regret it? He slowly hangs up. This was definitely the wrong the to do in Eddies case, this was defiantly away to get rid of Rodolpho but not a very great one, all different consequences now he has to face. He has not thought this through at all. Eddie the man that valued his reputation just went against everything that he has valued and believed in, he has now proven that know matter how much love that he had he still wanted more, he is greedy. He has become extremely obsessed with Catherine not been able to be his any more! He is destroying love. There relationship is no more, even though they love each other as any family do, there is too much of this love. This selfishness leads to great dismay. Eddie tries to break up there relationship but keeps failing to do so.

Eddie is also notified that the wedding of Catherine and Rodolpho is going to happen next week; he will not attend the wedding. Catherine wants him to attend but is hardly enthusiastic about it.

He arrives home, and his guilty conscience comes crashing to the floor when he discovers that Marco and Rodolpho have moved into the apartment and a new family have moved into their home.

‘Immigration, open up!’

Eddie is now subconscious that the immigration will arrest the wrong people. The cousins are caught, Eddie and the situation is very heated as the offices arrest the cousins, and this sends a chill down eddies spine! Marco breaks through the officers and hits Eddie in the face, Marco then shouts at Eddie, about how he is a liar and as killed his children, the officer tries to restrain Marco (Eddie did not at all think about this) and the whole of the street are stood at the pavement in silence watching the event. Marco is still on the rampage then spits on eddies face declaring that Eddie is ‘scum’ as that the lowest thing that any one could do, as this declares hatred and the whole of the neighbourhood has now heard and seen the whole affair. This leaves Eddie quite nervous, he has betrayed his family and he will be no longer welcome in his community, he has let down everyone, he is the new Vinny Bolzano. His main concern is his reputation; he can see a situation where, at best, an entire neighbourhood will ignore him and we doubt that very much. Nobody is on his side he has no back up. This also has really shocked his wife Beatrice this betrayal has horrified her!

The cousins are now in custody and Rodolpho and Catherine are now engaged. Eddie stays at home sitting in his rocking chair whilst Beatrice is left torn between the two situations. The cousins are able to be free from prison for the wedding just as long Marco promises not to go looking to make trouble with Eddie

Even though Beatrice declares that Eddie must join the wedding he still refuses, why would he want to watch his baby been given away to a scum like Rodolpho? He becomes obsessive once again and will now not Beatrice go. He tells her that if she goes that they will no longer be together which hits Beatrice hard!

Rodolpho is now in the picture and enters Eddies house, Eddie becomes furious. Rodolpho doesn’t want trouble and apologises, he wishes to say sorry for not asking permission for Catherine’s hand in marriage and for bringing all the trouble, but he is not without pride, he also states that Eddie has insulted him to but does not need an apology: ‘maybe God understand why you did this to me’. But Eddie does not accept, is there a place for forgiveness? He also warns Eddie that Marco is on his way, Eddie becomes the mad man and affirms that he wants his name back he wants Marco to tell the whole street that what he had said the day before was all a lie, but Eddie knows that Marco will never do this, this is what he wants not an apology from ‘a punk’it is not him that has stole his name.

However when he does he only speaks once ‘Eddie Carbone!’ but there is no indication of his violent mood. Eddie than ‘flinging his challenge’ ‘Yeah, Marco!’ no actions are made until Eddie moves. Rodolpho truly doesn’t want any trouble at all but he assertively shouts ‘no, Marco! Please Eddie he has children! You will kill his family!’ Reckons to Marco that he has come over to apologise? ‘His eyes murderous and he cracks his knuckles in his hand with a strange sort of relaxation’

We also see that Eddie demand his name back, he calls him a liar! Eddie has his arms spread as if to say come on then, and Marco has the mirrored the same image. They are both furious and I feel deep down Eddie realises that Marco has power over him. Even after eddies obsessive change some of the real Eddie remains as he still has too much value for his reputation and dignity. Eddie then lunges for Marco, then Marco strikes Eddie beside the neck (Eddie is no match to Marco he is crumbling he his not powerful enough even though he thinks he is!) the rage in Eddie builds and still stays fighting with Marco, even though he stands little chance of winning. The lethal knife, which of course Eddie has pulled out, he then again tries to make Marco apologise ‘you lied about me, Marco. Now say it. Come on now, say it’! He tries to force it into Marco, but Marco turns the knife like a flash and turns it towards Eddie. Everyone then rushes towards to separate them. But Eddie then falls upon it while in the arms of Catherine and B while calling his name again and again! ‘Eddie, I never meant to do nothing bad to you’ ‘Then why- oh B!’ Still on his deathbed asking her why she was bad to him, he is a one-minded man, he only thinks of his self and will not listen to anyone else! He then sorrowfully dies in the arms of Beatrice and Catherine.

Beatrice covers him with her body.

At the beginning of the play we see that Eddie is a loyal man who believes in morals. But we see toward the end we realise that he was an extreme obsessive man because of the situation he found himself in with Catherine and Rodolpho.

He finally found himself up against somebody that could take Catherine away from him and so he reacted in a severe and obsessive manner causing circumstances to become out of control.

Could that Eddie reaction was due to the lack of power that he felt that he had after the scene with Marco and the chair. Or could the reaction be deeper than this, could have Eddie felt so insecure because of the over ruling ‘mafia’ gang that he felt insulated and unable to speak out, but still this is all links to the feeling that he had over his lack of authority in the community and even his own home.

I think that what Catherine an d Beatrice feel is that they have lost someone very special, but they new either way that this was going to happen, Beatrice has lost her husband and Catherine her father figure, there feelings seem endless and sorrowful. As we can see in the last seen, Beatrice is truly in love with this man, when she covers him with her body. Also Catherine’s last words where an apology to Eddie.

Alfieri reflects back on the events on the play, who recognises the death of Eddie Carbone should serve a reminder to those who must carry on, and to the audience that ‘it is better to settle for half, it must be’

Eddie is then the subject of the calamity- not that it is heroic or understanding figure in the play, but he is the one with the most character and problem the audience has most fully known, the one whose force has driven the tragedy.

It is obvious that Miller shows Eddie Carbone as a tragic hero in 'A view From the Bridge'. In the conclusion of the play only two people keep their respect for him, his wife Beatrice and Alfieri. 'I confess that sometimes perversley pure calls to me from his memory - not purely good, but himself purely, for he allowed himself to be wholly know and for that I think I love him more than all my sensible clients.' It is brought more to our attention of Eddie being a tragic hero because of the ease of his character. Even though he does become vicious, Eddie isn't two-faced towards other people and he is a man of principles. It is probably his problem of not taking notice of what is happening in his life and also being an open character, you can see his reasons for doing something straight away.