Comment on how Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective beginning in Act1 of a view from the Bridge.

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A View From the Bridge

By Arthur Miller

English/ English Literature Coursework

Task

Comment on how Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective beginning in Act1 of a view from the Bridge.

In this essay I will explain how Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective opening by writing about the initial perceptions of the Carbone family. The tone is created through the characters before the two cousins arrive and the outcome of their onset is the transformation in atmosphere of the Carbone family. I will explain the effect of the historical context, knowing that Marco and Rudolfo are illegal immigrants, and what outcome this has on the audience. The role of Alfieri is also clearly explained, how he is portrayed and how he creates a tense, anxious atmosphere with his narrative, to the audience. Additionally I will explain why the majority of citizens immigrated to America initially and how knowing that, affects the audience.  Furthermore how the concluding dramatic scene affects ALL the characters, the atmosphere and the effect on the audience at the end of Act One.

Immigrants left Italy, Russia and Germany in 1955 because they thought America was rich had political, economic and religious freedom and a lot of space for growth. Education was of a higher standard and there was supposed to be full employment. They also believed that America was a very wealthy country and glamorous because of the ideas and images portrayed in the Hollywood movies.  The reality of this was somewhat different. There was a lot of exploitation and conflict, the accommodation was over-crowded, people were intolerant, and there was mass unemployment and poverty. Knowing what peoples perception were, created suspense and tension, as the audience insight is of the cousins being sent back or getting found out, explained by the quote from Eddie: “if everyone just keeps his mouth shut nothin’ can happen”. This also creates dramatic suspense as the audience does not yet know how Eddie will react and whether he will turn Rudolfo and Marco in to the Authorities. Also there is tension as to whether Rudolfo is using Catherine to obtain American passport and American citizenship, “if he marries you, he has got a right to an American citizen”.                            

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Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective beginning in Act1 of ‘A View from the Bridge’ by firstly introducing an introductory speech by Alfieri. We know that Alfieri is the Narrator as he is the first to speak and introduce the main character. He links the scenes in the play and he prepares the audience for what is going to happen. An example of this is where he suggests in the quote, “and watch it run its bloody course” that a dreadful tragedy is clearly going to occur further on in the play. This tells the audience that blood may be ...

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