A View from the Bridge. Hes stealing from me! Look closely at Act 1 Scene 5 + 6. How is a sense of dramatic tension created in these scenes and how does it contribute to our overall understanding of the main characters of A View From

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“He’s stealing from me!” Look closely at Act 1 Scene 5 + 6. How is a sense of dramatic tension created in these scenes and how does it contribute to our overall understanding of the main characters.

At the beginning of the scene, one of the first techniques used by Miller to create dramatic tension is created by foreshadowing. Alfieri says “His eyes where like tunnels, my first thought was that he committed a crime.” This shows Eddies eyes are deep, black and focused. It could also show Eddie’s having tunnel vision, meaning he is completely focused on one task; breaking up the relationship between Rodolfo and Catharine. Alfieri’s concern that Eddie has committed a crime or some kind of revenge increases the tension even more, because the audience are made to wonder what he has done. Or weather there is a fight or a big conflict later on in the play. This comment is relevant, because we know that Eddie is involved in a crime at the end of the play.

Eddie than says, “He’s laughing at her and he’s laughing at me” This shows that Eddie wants his respect and this links in with the boxing match that comes later, because the boxing match about respect and power, and from this comment its Eddie asking for respect and having his power back. This also shows the social and historical context because Eddie would rather choose who loves Catherine, which would not be Rodolfo. This creates tension because Eddie is probably used to getting his own way. Eddie then says, “I’m talking to you confidential, aren’t I?” which is then followed by the stage directions that says, “He takes a deep breath and glances briefly over each shoulder” This shows Eddie is clearly on edge and very uncomfortable about telling Alfieri his secret information. This creates tension because Eddie really doesn’t want to say this information.  The stage directions show Eddies mannerisms as being on edge to because Miller says, “Shifts to another position in the chair” This draws the audience in by using the plot, because you want to know the secret.

Eddie now talks about his dislike towards Rodolfo, “I mean is you close the paper fast - you could blow him over.” This creates tension because of the broken sentence structure. Also this hints Eddie is feeling awkward and desperately trying to get Alfieri to understand his problem.

Furthermore Eddie keeps repeating, “You know what I mean?” Because he’s trying to hint and trying to make Alfieri guess what he actually means, but Alfieri really doesn’t understand Eddie. Thought out this part Eddie does actually mention Rodolfo, and he’s really struggling to make Alfieri understand what he means, but never actually expresses his real thoughts. This creates an un-easy tension and atmosphere, as demonstrated here, “please Mr Alfieri. I’m trying to get my thoughts out here.”

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In scene 6, and the tension follows when the stage directions hint, “A calm before the storm”, when Eddie goes to his rocker and picks up the newspaper. The short sentences that follow this show there all on edge. This makes the viewer feel the tension within the play. Furthermore this conveys the beginning of a big argument between everyone, when Marco and Rodolfo both “raise” to make their authority stand out.

As the scene progresses Eddie shows he is getting more frustrated, when Miller uses this stage direction, “resenting his instruction”. The tone of language used here, shows ...

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