Although it is apparent to us that the relationship between Eddie and Catherine one of a sexual or desiring nature. Catherine appears to be oblivious to it, for example ‘she strikes a match and holds it to his cigar’ this is a very up-close and personal act and then ‘she blows out the match’, this seems a very sexual act, with them being so close and her blowing out the match so close to his face, yet Catherine does not make anything of it and carries on.
Catherine sees Eddie as a Father figure and is always seeking to impress him. Her actions are often mistaken to be flirtatious when they can also be seen as innocent behaviour of a young girl looking for her father’s approval. One such instance is when Catherine starts ‘running her hands over her skirt’ this can be seen as flirting or it can also be seen as though she is nervous because she does not know if Eddie approves.
This is also apparent when Eddie says ‘you aint all the girls’ this shows that he considers her to be special either because he is in love with her or because he sees her as his daughter
Beatrice Knows of Eddie’s feelings towards Catherine however she cannot say anything because she fears Eddie and she holds it in, taking the anger out in her actions. For example when she is mad ‘she gets up, clearing the dishes’ this shows that she doesn’t want to confront Eddie therefore she occupies herself with other tasks. Beatrice is also jealous of Catherine; she wants the same relationship that Catherine has with Eddie.
Eddie holds the power in the house, with him being the only man. Both women look up to him and never contradict him. Miller clearly shows this throughout the start of Act 1. An example of Eddie’s power is when it says ‘Eddie is standing facing the two seated woman’ this shows the women look up to him and it also forms a triangle with him being the top point, showing his power over them. This can also be seen as though both women are competing for Eddie.
The arrival of the cousins marks a vital part in the play because now there are two more men in the house, creating a struggle over power and also competition for Catherine. The cousin’s presence affects every relationship in the house and adds to the tension that has built up so far.
Eddie’s relationship with Catherine is most affected as Catherine no longer looks for Eddie’s approval once the cousins arrive. Instead her sights are now set on Rodolpho. There are examples of this throughout the Act with stage directions such as ‘wondrously’ and ‘enthralled’ this shows that she likes Rodolpho and for once she is not looking for Eddie’s approval. Eddie sees this and attempts to take control stops Rodolpho from singing because he is jealous this is shown when it says ‘Eddie has risen with iron control’ this shows that Eddie is using his power to control them as well, the word iron is used to show the strength with which Eddie has risen. We clearly see Eddie’s loss of power and control over Catherine when she speaks back to him in anger for what seems the first time in her life. She speaks to Eddie ‘with an edge of anger’ she would never have done this before but she seems to have changed since the cousin’s have arrived. Beatrice has become more confident with herself and can sense the power struggle, Eddie is no longer the man of the house and she no longer feels threatened by him.
Eddie has lost his power by the end of Act 1. We sense the end and Eddie has lost all sense and is desperate. Eddie attempts to win back Catherine with a show of power. Eddie attempts to show Catherine he is stronger than Rodolpho with a boxing match, ‘he feints with his left hand and lands with his right. It mildly staggers Rodolpho’ this shows Eddie is attempting to show up Rodolpho in front of Catherine to try and win her back. This backfires on him and Catherine runs to the staggered Rodolpho. With this action Eddie has made his feelings clear and puts Marco into action. Marco sees Eddie’s true colours and responds with a show of power to intimidate and have power over the house. ‘Marco is face to face with Eddie, the chair raised like a weapon over Eddie’s head, Eddie’s grin vanishes as he absorbs this look’ Eddie has lost all power over the house, he has lost Catherine and we know he is going to go to desperate measures.
The cousins arrival also influences Beatrice, she no longer stays quite, and she confronts Eddie about his feelings for Catherine. This is shown when it says ‘comes to him, now the subject is opened’ this all takes place because Eddie has lost his power and control over the house and Beatrice knows it, she is no longer controlled by him and is free to speak her mind.
Alferi’s role is one of a narrator as well as a conscious; he speaks what is on the characters mind and what they are feeling. For example when Eddie first enters his office he tells us of Eddie’s feelings ‘ I saw it was only a passion that had moved into his body’ this adds to the audiences understanding of Millers intentions for the Characters.
The relationships throughout the play change quite dramatically with Catherine being attracted to Rodolpho from the moment he enters and we see Eddie’s lose of power from the very start. Yet we see the biggest change at the very end of the play when Eddie lays in the street dying, he calls out for Beatrice and realises too late that she is the only one who he has left in the world. This is a big change from the start of the when he did not respect Beatrice and showed her no love. ‘You never worked in your life’
Eddie started of in the play holding power over both women and was the man of the house but that has now changed. He lays on the street abandoned by all those that once looked up to him. Disowned by the Italian community and left disgraced.
Yet Eddie can also be portrayed as a tragic hero, fighting for what he believes in and dying in the name of honour.
