A view from the bridge, show how Eddie Carbone brings his fate upon himself

A view from the bridge- coursework

“You want something else Eddie, and you can never have her”! By referring to the text, show how Eddie Carbone brings his fate upon himself.

A View from the Bridge is set in the 20th century in Redhook, in New York, also known as the land of opportunity. Very familiar to immigrants. Redhook, a slum, home to many immigrants from Italy, here to fulfil their dreams. Redhook was a poor community but it was said to be a million dollars from what they had back in Italy. The houses in America were slums. People come in America in search of work. Not many jobs were available in Italy; therefore people were suffering from poverty and starvation. The jobs available in Italy were useless. You would probably earn a little less than half a dollar a week. Therefore people illegally immigrated to the land of opportunity, America. They felt America would fulfil their dreams, that it was food for their family. The buildings in Redhook considered being a fortune to the Italians, but slums to us. They were very tall and bulky. They looked very tall going in straight lines. The furniture looked old fashioned and in good condition, and they were very big. Redhook looks very cramped and small. We know it was a poor community because the houses were slums and they were home to immigrants.

The play uses the conventions of Greek tragedy because the play has 2 acts, but however all Greek tragedies have only one 1 act, but its is like any other Greek tragedies. The play is linear because it is leading to the death of Eddie. We could see this from the start of the play because we can see Eddie and Marco are not getting on well, and also Eddie does not like Rodolpho and Catherine being together so he takes it out on Marco, but however he still does not get what he wants, so he calls the immigration bureau, and from their this leads him to his death. In the play Alfieri acts as the narrator. We could tell this because, after a major event in the play he comes out and briefly sums up what just has happened and tells his opinions. In the play Eddie is a tragic hero because he sacrifices himself for his one fatal flaw- Catherine. This is Greek tragedy because Eddie stood up for what he believes is right and in the end he gave his life for it.

From the outset we see that Eddie is a kind, well respected and generous man. He is kind because he always put Catherine ahead of him because he promised her mother he would look after her after she passes away. For example Eddie states “you’re an angel god’ll bless you.” This indicates he his being kind to his wife.

He is generous because he let Marco and Rodolpho stay in his house. For example Eddie states “because as soon as soon as you see a tired relative, I end up on the floor.” This indicates Eddie is willing to ...

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He is well respected because he is a hardworking person. For example Louis states, “Believe me Eddie you got a lot of credit coming to you.” This indicates he deserves a lot of credit.

However early in the play we become aware that Eddie also has a bad side to him. He is overprotective because he treats Catherine like a child. For example Eddie states “You’re a baby, you don’t understand these things.” This indicates that Eddie is being too overprotective. Eddie also has a macho attitude. For example Eddie states …”he sings… paper doll they’re callin’ him, canary. He’s like a weird”. This indicates Eddie is making bad remarks about Rodolpho behind his back. Eddie also is an aggressive person. For example Eddie states, “Now, watch out here I come Danish”! This indicates Eddie is being violent towards Rodolpho.

As the play progresses we realise that Eddie become jealous of Catherine and Rodolpho. Eddie wants to split up Catherine and Rodolpho so he humiliates Rodolpho by kissing him in front of Catherine. For example Catherine states “Eddie let go, ya hear me”! This indicates Eddie is trying to prove to Catherine that Rodolpho is gay, so Catherine can leave Rodolpho

Eventually Eddie’s behaviour becomes almost crazed. We see this when he tries to put Catherine on the right track. He turns obsessive and cruel. For example Eddie states, “That’s a hit and run guy baby, he’s got bright lights in his head, Broadway. Them guys don’t think of nobody but their self! You marry him and the next time you see him it’ll be for divorce.” This indicates Eddie is trying to say Rodolpho is not after Catherine’s love and he is just after a passport.

Eddies crazed behaviour ultimately leads to his own death. Eddie betrays Marco and Rodolpho for the sake of Catherine. For example Marco states, “That one! He killed my children.” This indicates Marco is burning with anger so much that he wants to kill Eddie. Eddies stubbornness also leads to his own death. For example Eddie states “I want my name!.. Marcos got my name.” This indicates he would do any thing to get his pride and loyalty back.

What is more, Eddie did not follow into the right path. He had many opportunities to make up for his mistakes but he decided not to. He did not take the advice he received. For example Beatrice states “Eddie, if you want my advice go to her and tell her good luck” and also Alfieri states, “let her go and bless her.” This indicates if Eddies took those advices Eddie would still have been alive.

Nevertheless throughout the play we see how Eddies behaviour changes. He goes from good to bad, but however we fell a lot of sympathy for Eddie because he sacrificed himself for Catherine. Beatrice and Catherine also played a part in Eddie’s death. For example Beatrice states “What do you want from me? They’re already moved out; what do you want know? This indicates Beatrice is not on Eddie’s side and Eddie is feeling suicidal. Catherine also states “no I made my mind up.” This indicates Eddies feels he has failed his task. The audience will have mixed feelings about Eddie. They think that he is crazed because he gave his life just for his niece, but some will think that he is a brave person who stood up for what he believes. I think Alfieri is saying in his soliloquy that deep inside Eddie is a good person. For example Alfieri states, “I think I love him more than all my sensible clients.” This indicates Alfieri is trying to say that Eddie was not a bad person after all.

I would seem that Eddie is a totally crazed person, but however he does have a good side to him. For example Eddie states, “Because as soon as you see a tired relative I end up on the floor.” This indicates that Eddie is generous, but that does not mean he is fully a good person. For example Eddie states, “You’re a baby, you don’t understand these things!” This indicates that Eddie is being overprotective, but however I personally think Eddie was a good person, because he was a tragic her, therefore he gave his life for Catherine. For example Alfieri states, “even as I know how wrong he was…. Something perversely pure caus to me from his memory. Not purely good, but himself purely, for he allowed himself to be wholly known and for that I think I will love him more than my sensible clients.” This indicates Alfieri is trying to say that Eddie had his bad attitude for the sake of Catherine.

By Abdul Kalam

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