‘The two pitchers nod to him as he passes.’ A lawyer like Alferi in the neighbourhood is not popular and often means trouble, this is shown in his speech
‘In this neighbourhood to meet a lawyer or a priest on the street is unlucky.’ Throughout his speech he explains that in Red Hook, New York where it is set people take matters into their own hands, they are like gangsters and the Mafia.
‘The petty troubles of the poor – and yet… every few years there is still a case.’ Here he is saying that even though some cases are petty, he still earns a living. Although once in a blue moon there is a big case it is more Italian, very passionate and family orientated and extremely different from normal cases.
At he end of Act 1 there is fighting going on between Rodolfo and Eddie. It was the idea of Eddies as he said
‘Ya can’t tell one of these days somebody’s liable to step on his foot or sump’m. Come on Rodolfo, I show you a couple of passes. This quote is saying that Eddie is provoking Rodolfo, so that he can release his anger out on him. He is also trying to show to Catherine that he is a better man, than Rodolfo. Marco then steps in for his brother and challenges Eddie, so that he looks like a looser, as he has made his brother Rodolfo look stupid. Marco Says
‘can you lift this chair?’ This shows that Marco is leading the conversation, and Eddie is taken back by this and then Marco lifts the chair with one hand from the ground.
Catherine has a tough choice; she has to choose between Eddie and Rodolfo. At the beginning of Act two, miller increases the tension, as Catherine mentions to Rodolfo about moving back to Italy, as she sees it as beautiful, with mountains, and seas.
Rodolfo explains to her that its not like it seems, as there would be no jobs for them and life would be tough. Rodolfo shows maturity, as he wants to be a citizen in America, while having Catherine as his wife. He explains this by saying
‘I will not marry you to live in Italy. I want you to be my wife, and I want to be a citizen.’ This shows that he cares for Catherine, and doesn’t want her to get hurt. Rodolfo is emotionally hurt and furious with Catherine. Catherine comes close to tears, when Rodolfo asks why she is afraid of Eddie, Miller builds up the tension here, as Catherine is growing up and wants to move away with Rodolfo. The tension is built up here with then contrast of love, with Catherine and Rodolfo’s relationship with Eddie and Beatrice’s Marriage.
‘If I was a wife I would make a man happy instead of goin’ at him all the time.’ This quote shows that Catherine thinks that Beatrice isn’t treating Eddie like a husband, and she doesn’t know what he wants and likes. He will treat her like a proper wife.
Rodolfo cares about her and won’t let them move away over back to Italy, as it isn’t safe. Catherine asks Rodolfo
‘ Teach me. I don’t know anything, teach me, Rodolfo, hold me. ‘This shows that they care about each and they want to go to the bedroom. Rodolfo implies physical intimacy here when he says
‘ There’s nobody here now. Come inside. Come.’ Here he is using Dramatic Irony, which is shown by Millers stage directions
‘He is leading her towards the bedrooms’ ‘If I take in my hands a little bird a she grows and wishes to fly. But I will not let her out of my hands because I love her so much.’
This quote shows that Rodolfo and Catherine love each other like a proper couple and they know what each other want and like.
Eddie enters drunk and unsteady. When Eddie arrives it is thought as to be comical as he take bottle after bottle out of his pocket and places them on the table.
‘He sees the pattern and cloth, goes over to it and touches it, and turns towards upstage.’ This stage direction from miller refers to the opening scene and shows that deep down he is sensitive and loves Catherine.
‘Catherine enters from the bedroom, under his gaze she adjusts her dress.’ This stage direction from Miller refers to sexual acts.
‘Rodolfo appears in the bedroom, doorway and his arm jerks slightly in shock.’ This direction is showing Rodolfo is shocked as he feels that sexual acts are going on between Eddie and Catherine.
Eddie is drunk and this is visual to the audience, and as of this he will not let her go, as he still sees her as his little baby. Tension builds ups, and the are on edge, of what is going to happen. Catherine explains to him that she cannot stay anymore, she says
‘well don’t cry. I’ll be around the neighbourhood; I’ll see you. I just can’t stay here no more. You know I can’t.’
‘He reaches out suddenly, draws her to him and as she strikes to free herself he kisses her on the mouth.’ This stage direction from Miller reveals Eddies true feelings for Catherine.
Eddie has no control over himself when he kisses Catherine. This creates a lot of tension between Catherine and Eddie. Catherine is suprissed and shocked that Eddie came on to her. Rodolfo explains to Eddie that he wants Catherine to be his wife, and that she will. Eddie uses physical aggression and force to Rodolfo, and this shows that Eddie has lost control. He wants the sexual acts to happen to himself and Catherine. This is all shown by
‘Rodolfo flies at him in attack. Eddie pins his arms laughing and suddenly kisses him.’ Catherine is furious and realises this is the true Eddie.
Eddie tells Rodolfo to pack his bags and leave, but Catherine is frightened as he grabs her.
‘They are like animals that have torn at one another and broken up without a decision.’ This stage direction from Miller implies they are both acting like animals and they have fought over Catherine, without deciding whether Rodolfo is to stay or go and if he will marry Catherine.
‘Eddie is gone the phone is glowing in the light now. Light is out on Alferi, Eddie has at the same time appeared beside the phone.’ This stage direction by Miller and considering Eddies state of mind the phone is very important. This is because the audiences are afraid that Eddie is going to go against Alferi’s advice and ring the immigration up and report Rodolfo and Marco as illegal immigrants.
At the end of scene the tension that was created throughout the play has been realised. The tension had mostly been built up by the two kisses at the end of the scene. Eddie had kissed Catherine, while letting out his true feeling for her. This bought shock into the scene for all three of the characters, Catherine, Eddie and Rodolfo. When Eddie kissed Rodolfo I feel that all the tension had been realised fully, as everyone was more shocked including Eddie. I don’t think anyone including himself thought he could go so low. Catherine found out or real what Eddie felt and why he despised Rodolfo so much.
