English Literature GCSE Coursework

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English Literature GCSE Coursework

A View From The Bridge

By Arthur Miller

     Arthur Miller creates dramatic tension in the last scene of act one in several ways, one technique used is powerful stage directions which are used throughout the course of act one to show Beatrice’s and Catherine’s original amount of admiration and respect for Eddie, subsequently Miller uses the introduction of the two new characters Marco & his brother Rodolfo (who engages in a close relationship with Catherine) to create conflict between Eddie and the two female characters thus leading to the gradual exposition of Eddie’s antagonistic behaviour towards Rodolfo which leads to Marco’s realisation of Eddie’s real nature therefore creating even more tension until the last scene where Eddie’s status is swiftly diminished where Miller uses commanding stage directions to show who has dominance between the characters which ultimately leads to a complete power shift from Eddie to Marco.

     Miller uses the female characters obvious resentment of Eddie’s opinion to make the audience feel tense.  Miller does this by showing how the build-up of hostility shown by Eddie leads to the beginning of the deference of Eddie’s general opinion made known by the other characters.  For example the female characters defiance towards Eddie is shown in one case when there has already almost been an argument involving Eddie so tension is still ripe on stage.  This is when; knowing of Eddie’s dislike of Rodolfo Catherine shows her unruliness towards Eddie by asking Rodolfo to dance with her.  Beatrice also shows defiance towards Eddie when Rodolfo refuses to dance with Catherine, consequently Beatrice re-enforces Catherine’s resentment of Eddie and shows defiance by saying “Go ahead, dance, Rodolfo”.  At this point in the play the audience are made aware of both Catherine and Beatrice’s defiance towards Eddie and also their resent for Eddie’s opinion.  Arthur Miller has used this situation to create a tenser atmosphere on stage because the play is set in a household where culture and tradition are very important and one of the vital aspects of this particular culture is the respect a woman should have for a man.

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     The fight set up by Eddie is used to make the audience feel more edgy by showing how Eddie’s hostility towards Rodolfo and struggle for manliness and power inevitably leads towards violence.  Miller has left the audience on the edge by showing them that the characters on stage do not realise Eddie’s ulterior motive which is only to hurt Rodolfo.  Arthur Miller has made it obvious Eddie only wants to hurt Rodolfo, Miller doe this by composing Eddie’s script and stage directions deviously.  This is done by making Eddie begin by only talking about boxing and taking Marco ...

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