Discuss the dramatic importance of Alfieri in the play "A View from the Bridge" by Arthur Miller

English GCSE Coursework: “A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller

Discuss the dramatic importance of Alfieri in the play “A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller was born in was born in New York City on October 17, 1915 to Isidore and Augusta Miller. At the time, Miller's father owned a successful clothing business and the family lived in a Harlem neighbourhood. In 1929, the family business failed as a result of the depression and they moved to Brooklyn. Miller was a very active child and hardly spent any time reading or studying. He only took an interest in academics in his final year of school, too late to make the grades to be accepted into college. Miller worked various jobs after high school, including one as a salesperson that inspired his later play, Death of a Salesman. Miller was finally accepted into Michigan State in 1934 and he studied journalism. While in college, Miller won several collegiate awards for his plays. Out of college, Miller's first successful work was All My Sons, which opened on Broadway in 1947. Miller is best known works are The Crucible and Death of a Salesman. In 1956, Miller was asked to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, but heroically refused to name the names of communist sympathisers. The following year he was charged for contempt, a ruling later reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals. In 1956, Miller also divorced his wife and married Marilyn Monroe.

Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge”, was first written in 1955, as a one act play, based on the story of a Longshoreman who had ratted to the Immigration Bureau on his own relatives, in order to prevent the marriage between one of the brothers and his niece. The New York critics, poorly received the play, and the production only ran for 158 performances. Miller believed that the play was complete and he did not wish to adorn the tale with subjective meaning, but lay out the facts simply and clearly. Two years later, he decided to revise the script. The set was more realistic, a Brooklyn neighbourhood scene, and Miller eliminated the use of verse. The relationship of Eddie and Catherine was played down, and the final scene was altered. Eddie dies in the arms of his wife Beatrice, not at the feet of Catherine, which reconciles the couple’s relationship.

Arthur Miller was called to testify in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee to name names of communist sympathizers in 1956, the height of the McCarthy Era. Miller refused to do so and was praised by the community for his strength of conviction and loyalty. In 1957, Miller was charged with contempt, a ruling later reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Miller, like Eddie Carbone, was faced with the problem of choosing to be American or not, specifically by naming names of people who were doing unlawful acts. Miller's own struggle with this issue is very present in A View from the Bridge. Unlike Eddie Carbone, Miller chose to be loyal to his fellow artists, but like Eddie, Miller went against the cultural agreement at the time.

The inclusion of Alfieri in the play was Miller’s way of connecting the play with the audience. In his previous plays such as “The Crucible”, Arthur Miller found that the audience and many critics, failed to understand the subliminal plot he was trying to depict. Therefore, his decision to include Alfieri, effectively gives the audience a deeper understanding of the play. Alfieri is also essential to the structure of the play. He opens and closes the play, and at other times we see him as Arthur Miller’s mouthpiece, moving the action quickly onwards.

Alfieri is an American-Italian lawyer, in his fifties and views the drama from Brooklyn Bridge. In his opening speech, Alfieri sets the scene of the play, like a narrator, and informs the audience with vital information about the neighbourhood and the culture of the inhabitants. The play is set in Red Hook in Brooklyn, a small “slum that faces the bay on the seaward side of Brooklyn Bridge”. The locals are not really refined people, as most of them are either longshoremen, or unemployed. Alfieri mentions that the locals are mainly immigrants, originating from Sicily. Sicilian people distrust the law, because the legal system has always betrayed them. The inhabitants of Red Hook, still live the Sicilian lifestyle, and are reluctant to accept the American culture.

When Alfieri enters, he immediately creates atmosphere. He tells the audience about the importance of justice but, he says that justice is often dealt with outside, rather than inside the law. He mentions great American-Italian gangsters such as Al Capone and Frankie Yale, and furthermore connects the play with the Mediterranean history, and mentions that the events which occur in Red Hook are of archetypal significance. He mentions another lawyer, in the time of Caesar, “hearing the same complaint” and being powerless, and only able to let it “run its bloody course”. This is significant, because he states that ...

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Alfieri has several roles in the play. As I previously mentioned, he acts like a narrator, because like a narrator he links scenes and events. But Alfieri also acts as a commentator. He comments on the actions and characters from an objective viewpoint. In his opening speech, he comments on views of the neighbourhood and how their way of living affects their lifestyle. He dispenses information and advice, and emphatically explains the law and its boundaries.

Another role of Alfieri’s is that he acts like the chorus and represents the views of an ordinary person observing the play. In the ancient Greek tragedies of Aeschylus, the function of the chorus is to comment on the events and characters. Alfieri, plays the role of the chorus, and often portrays his view, but like any chorus, is powerless to affect events. This is the reason Alfieri’s language is so simple, direct and conversational, as he represents the street, and he doesn’t speak in legalistic language, a way which we would associate common lawyers to converse. Eddie is an unsophisticated longshoreman, whose language, like Beatrice’s portrays a working class, colloquial style, which is powerful, but also hides more than it reveals. Eddie is associated with phrases such as “lemme see in the back” and “Where you goin’ all dressed up?” This shows his vernacular language, which represents his Sicilian culture and lifestyle. Catherine is educated and therefore has a higher register of language compared to Eddie and Beatrice, but often results to using a lower register of language when communicating with other characters.

Alfieri is symbolic of a bridge. He is a bridge between the audience, who are average, middle class people, and the players, generally poor, working class, immigrants. The white American audience would not have known about the Sicilian culture, when the play was first performed. This is where Alfieri acts like a bridge, and brings these two cultures together, so that the audience, have some background knowledge about the play. Alfieri is in the middle of the bridge, because he understands both the American culture and Sicilian culture. Alfieri is also symbolic of the law, and is the symbolic bridge between American law and tribal laws.

Alfieri, also tells the audience, about fate and destiny. He tells the audience, that he is unable to do anything about it, because he is so powerless. Because of fate, it is the destiny of these people (characters in the play), and nothing can stop what is going to happen to them.

Alfieri’s opening speech is important, as it gives us an understanding about the Sicilian way of living. Alfieri states that it is better to “settle for half”, and that the search for absolute justice results in unacceptable consequences. He realises that the law is limited and cannot deal with every problem fully, like Eddie’s. His message to the audience is clear. He tells them that being civilised means having to compromise, and that it is better to “settle for half”, and not try to be honourable. At this point, the audience do not understand fully, the message that Alfieri is trying to tell them, but Alfieri’s role as a “bridge”, involves him connecting the audience with the play.

Part of Alfieri’s role in the play is to create dramatic irony, so that the audience knows more than the characters. By doing this, he creates tension throughout the play. The audience are susceptive to Eddie’s incestuous feelings towards Catherine, because of Alfieri’s comments; although none of the other characters can understand Eddie’s feelings. Also ironically, with the phrase "bloody course" in his opening speech he shows that the play is going to have a violent and tragic ending. Alfieri’s education, wealth and culture, is somewhat contrasting to limited and simple character of Eddie.

The main theme of the play is justice and the law. Alfieri, as a lawyer, is aware of the law. However, he is also aware of the inability of the law to dispense total justice. When Eddie, decides to find justice in his own way, outside the law, Alfieri is powerless to intervene. On the other hand, Eddie Carbone is a man who does not understand the limitations of the law. Early in the play, he tells a story, about a young boy, who told the Immigration Bureau, about the illegal manner in which his uncle entered the country. In Eddie’s eyes and in the eyes of the community, the boy was guilty of injustice. As the play unfolds, the audience realises the irony between the story and the dramatic ending of the play.

“In this neighbourhood to meet a lawyer or a priest on the street is unlucky”. Alfieri says this because, he is trying to tell the audience that the Sicilian’s do not like to get to close to people associated with the law, because they themselves have been distrusted by the law. The American audience’s idea of justice is based on legality. In Sicily it is different, and it is based on a far more delicate situation, honour. They settle dispute by killing the people who have dishonoured them. This also reveals their attitudes about the law. Alfieri tells the audience that justice is very important in Red Hook. “There were many here who were justly show by unjust men”. The Sicilian’s have no respect for the law, as they feel the law is unjust.

Alfieri’s view is that in order for everybody to abide by the law, they have to “settle for half”, and that the law is often incapable of satisfying everybody. When Eddie confronts Alfieri, he tries to convince the lawyer to give him his kind of justice. He believes that Rodolpho is only marrying Catherine, in order to make him a legal immigrant. He feels that this is unjust and that the law should provide his with a case against Rodolpho. Alfieri, can only warn Eddie, that if he betrays the code of his people, they will turn against him. Alfieri is emphasising that it would be unjust to betray Rodolpho and Marco, even if Eddie is upholding the law by reporting them. In the final part of the play, Marco demands justice. He talks about the honour and degradation; all of which matter to Marco when he speaks of justice. Alfieri can only offer the same advice to Marco, as he did with Eddie, which is not to step outside the law.

Throughout the play, there is an emphasis on justice, but Alfieri tells us that there is a price to pay for total justice, and “it is always better to settle for half”.

Another theme, which causes contrasting views throughout the play, is manliness. Eddie has a very narrow view if what he considers manliness. He feels that manliness consists of protecting one’s territory, territory in which other men are regarded as hostile intruders if they attempt to enter.

When Rodolpho enters, his behaviour unsettles Eddie. He feels that Rodolpho is not a real man, as Rodolpho can cook, sing and make dresses. Throughout the play, Eddie makes it known to several other characters, that he is concerned about Rodolpho’s intentions. Beatrice is the only one who can see that Eddie is jealous of Catherine and Rodolpho’s relationship, and when suggested to Eddie, he subtly rejects this obscure notion. Eddie is a typical Sicilian man, contrasting to Rodolpho’s character. Eddie does not regard it as manly to show his emotions. He feels uncomfortable when the boundaries of his manliness are threatened. Eddie feels that Rodolpho is an effeminate, “weird” guy, and that he himself is all that a man should be.

Alfieri’s opening and closing speeches indicate his role as a narrator and commentator. But throughout the play, there are several short speeches by Alfieri, which links the play together. During these intervals, Alfieri narrates the story, and comments on the actions.

But Alfieri really becomes involved in the plot of the play, when Eddie comes to see him for the first time. The lawyer is puzzled when Eddie comes to see him, and Alfieri now becomes one of the characters in the drama itself. He refers to Eddie’s eyes being like “tunnels”, which indicates the darkness and transparency of Eddie. After hearing Eddie’s complaint, he explains to him that no crime has been committed, even though Eddie may think that Rodolpho wants to marry Catherine in order to make him a legal immigrant. Eddie passionately states his case, and even attempts to persuade Alfieri that Rodolpho “ain’t right”, but these statements only show a desperate man who is restricted to reason.

At this point in the play, Alfieri’s role is primarily to act as a character and take part in the action of the play. He tells Eddie that the only way he can stop the relationship, is by informing the Immigration Bureau about the two illegal immigrants. This way he can be assured that Marco and Rodolpho will be deported. This is significant, and another role of Alfieri’s is shown here aswell. By telling Eddie what to do, he sends a signal to the audience and tells them what will happen in the future. In his opening speech Alfieri told the audience that all he could do is watch “it run its bloody course” and just sit there powerless. Although this may be the case, ironically, it was Alfieri who presented the idea to Eddie, which means he is not so powerless after all. Instinctively, this is the only time in which Alfieri affects the outcome of the play, and it happens so that it is pivotal to the play. Alfieri has just given a solution to Eddie’s problems, but he knows that it will destroy Eddie if he carries it out.

Alfieri is concerned that Eddie is too involved with Catherine. He attempts to tell his that he is too overprotective and that he loves his niece “too much”, possibly hinting at emotional incest. Eddie voices his desperate feeling of helplessness. The audience suddenly realise that Eddie may force himself to behave in a manner he may regret. Alfieri knows that Eddie is about to destroy himself and, perhaps, those near to him.

Alfieri returns to his normal role as the chorus, when he introduces Act II and sets the scene. He ends the introduction with the comment, “Catherine told me later that this was the first time they had been alone together in the house.” This reiterates the fact that Alfieri is informing the audience, with relevant background information. During his introduction, he simply commentates and narrates the story, and is not taking part in the action.

After Eddie’s drunken catastrophe, where he violently kisses Catherine and Rodolpho after catching the young couple emerging from the bedroom, the Sicilian decides to head back to the lawyer’s office. Alfieri recognises the terrible change that has overcome Eddie, and the emptiness of his spirit. He can foresee the tragedy unfolding, but he feels powerless to do something about it. When the lawyer mention’s Eddie’s eyes being like “tunnels” again, it links this encounter with the previous episode.

As soon as Eddie converses with Alfieri, the lawyer retakes his role as a character, and is able to take part in the action of the play. Again Eddie asks for the lawyer’s help, but again Alfieri emphasises that no law has been broken. This shows that Eddie hasn’t changed his mental state, and still feels the same emotions as he previously did. Eddie is not prepared to abandon the Sicilian way of justice, honour. After demanding the number of the Immigration Bureau, from Alfieri, Eddie decides to inform the bureau about the two illegal immigrants. The fact that Alfieri gave Eddie the idea, only builds the dramatic tension, because the audience were expecting this to happen.

In this episode, Alfieri tries to affect the outcome of the play, by persuading Eddie not to inform the Immigration Bureau. He tells Eddie that he “won’t have a friend in the world”, yet he cannot change Eddie’s mental state. This outlines Eddie and Alfieri’s relationship. Eddie seems to be dominant over the lawyer, and whatever the Alfieri suggests, Eddie cannot agree. Although this is the case, they seem to have mutual respect for each other. Eddie is prepared to open up to Alfieri and tell him how he feels about Rodolpho. Alfieri is willing to listen and advise the Sicilian.

In the penultimate scene, Alfieri attempts to persuade Marco not to seek revenge, and not to do anything that he will regret. He is offering the same advice to Marco, as he did to Eddie. It seems that both Marco and Eddie, being Italian, have the same way of thinking. They both believe in justice, and it could be said that Eddie was seeking justice, when he phoned the Immigration Bureau. They are also, both inconsiderate to the American law. When Alfieri tries to persuade Marco not to seek revenge, he replies that “The law? All the law is not in the book.” Alfieri points out that it is only God who delivers ultimate justice, implying that nobody is able to dispense total justice. At this point, Alfieri is playing the role of the mediator, but is still acting as a character in the play. Again he has the chance to have an effect on the play, but he cannot persuade Marco.

Alfieri pays bail for the two men and arranges the marriage of Catherine and Rodolpho. On the wedding day, Marco returns to the house for revenge. Eddie lunges into Marco with a knife. Marco turns Eddie's arm and kills Eddie with his own knife. Eddie dies in Beatrice's arms.

Alfieri’s concluding speech gives the play cohesion and connects it to the beginning of the play. He says that “most of the time now we settle for half”. The phrase “settle for half” is like the moral of the play, as it tells the audience that it is better to compromise, than lose everything. Alfieri acknowledges this, although the Italian part of him admires what Eddie did, even though he went against the Sicilian code of “Omerta” (staying silent). The reason for this is simple, Eddie did what he believed was right, he didn’t care what other people said or did, he wasn’t prepared to “settle for half” and compromise.