Tension and Uneasiness starts to arise in the household. Eddie’s fabricated excuse for stopping Radalfo from singing was that, nobody in the household could sing so the outsiders would suspect different intruders and inform the immigration office. After hearing this Marco was astonished and told Radalfo to stop, to which Radalfo immediately obeyed. We realise that Eddie’s real intention were that he did not want Radalfo to entertain Catherine whatsoever. Eddie’s attitude towards Radalfo had an immediate effect. Eddie seemed more aware of Catherine and Radalfo’s actions. Eddie turns to Catherine and rudely remarks ‘ what’s the high heels for, Garbo’? To what Catherine says ‘ I figured for tonight-’ in embarrassment and anger Catherine goes into the bedroom.
Eddie comes across as a pragmatist character. Eddie feels anger at the fact that Catherine is not paying attention towards him and has full attention for Radalfo.
When the light arises and Alfieri enters he declares that there will be trouble in the household. The dramatic tragedy has begun. This affects the audience’s views on Eddie because Eddie seemed a formal and easygoing character but slowly his ways deteriorate into a vile and jealous human being. He seems a more selfish, cruel, vindictive person.
When re-opening the scene Eddie’s first quote is ‘ it’s after eight’ here we see, he seems to be more conscious of Catherine’s where about. Eddie’s hatred towards Radalfo comes clear ‘ they must have seen every picture in Brooklyn by now, he (referring to Radalfo) aint supposed to go round advertising himself’. By this he means Radalfo should not go anywhere and stay at home.
Eddie seems jealous and can’t stand the fact that Radalfo went pictures with Catherine. Why should Eddie care if Radalfo advertises himself, why does it bother him so much?
Beatrice is seen as a neutral character and as the clam one in the relationship, she tries to always calm Eddie, and she tries to resolve problems the best way she can. We notice that whenever Eddie disapproves of something, the victim always has to ask ‘ what do you want from me/them?’
‘ That’s a nice kid? He gives me the heeby jeebies’ when Eddie proclaims this, it is clear that he thinks low of Radalfo and automatically knows he’s trouble. When noticing Radalfo’s blonde hair we immediately realised he wasn’t too fond of him. Beatrice detects a certain point of attitude towards Eddie, she talks him out of not liking Radalfo, and Eddie has this instantaneous mood change. He is consumed with it, ‘so he’s blond-so’ there is repetition of this by Beatrice, this is a main source of target for Radalfo. We notice Eddie is praising Marco, he sees Marco more manly and takes on more responsibilities, ‘ Marco goes round like a man; nobody kids Marco’. Eddie is not observing or perceiving Beatrice, which is due to him being more conscious and worried about Catherine. ‘ When am I gonna be a wife again, Eddie?’ by this we acknowledge that she is not feeling enough attention coming from her husband, her husband is not fulfilling his duties sexually and formally.
While waiting for Catherine to arrive Mike and Louis Eddie’s friends come by and start talking to Eddie. In conversation they mention how strong Marco is and how Radalfo is funny. ‘He comes around, everybody’s laughing, (Louis laughs)’ Mike says. Eddie in reply says ‘(uncomfortably grinning) yeah, well…he’s got a sense of humour’. In stage directions, he is uncomfortably grinning which shows us he is angry, jealous and confused. He doesn’t understand why everyone is praising Radalfo, little does he realise that Radalfo is a down-to-earth, friendly, and humorous person. He just is totally against the fact that Catherine is going to be with Radalfo. In all ways he seems scared to loose Catherine. When Catherine arrives from the pictures she greets him by saying ‘ hey Eddie – what picture we saw! Did we laugh!’ Eddie can’t help smiling at the sight of her, stage directions telling us he’s relieved to see her. At this point Eddie is convincing Catherine that Radalfo doesn’t really love her but wants to marry her for the passport and so that he can become a American citizen. We see Eddie’s attitude has completely switched and he is despising Radalfo. Eddie tries to brainwash Catherine, but Catherine believes Radalfo loves her. Catherine goes to consult Beatrice, here we notice that Beatrice is being understanding towards Catherine. Beatrice explains to Catherine not to obey his orders and be a little independent. Beatrice feels that Eddie is in control of Catherine’s life so she tells Catherine to tell Eddie that she is marrying Radalfo.
Alfieri again enters, but this time we see Eddie has gone to visit him for the first time. Alfieri’s first reaction towards Eddie as he entered was that ‘ his eyes were like tunnels, my first thought was that he had committed a crime’. The point for Eddie visiting Alfieri was to find out how he could get Radalfo into trouble. Eddie was coming out with absurd reasons, which Alfieri thought was unreasonable, and totally within the law (legal) guidelines. Alfieri was confused and baffled. Eddie mentions that Radalfo might be gay because he knows how to sew clothes and he has blonde hair. Eddie seems to think he is on a more feminine side. ‘ I mean he aint right, he’s a blonde guy, he sings, and he makes dresses’. When Alfieri hears all the excuses his attitude changes, and he cannot believe how desperate Eddie is to break Radalfo and Catherine up. Alfieri notifies Eddie that there can be nothing done apart from Eddie phoning the Immigration Office. Eddie makes out phoning the police is never going to happen ‘oh, Jesus, no, I would do nuthin’ about that,’ When deep down Alfieri knows how desperate he can go.
We see Alfieri and Beatrice both give the same advice to Eddie, they both tell him that Catherine is a grown women and is becoming independent. Alfieri speaks in a hypothetically manner. Eddie feels restless and there is nothing he can do, apart from resorting to one conclusion. Eddie feels consumed with jealousy and a sense of injustice. He is very negative. When Eddie leaves Alfieri he feels that threat of sobs, and with a helpless wave.
We see just before Act 2 starts Catherine, Eddie, Beatrice, Marco and Radalfo join again. Eddie begins to mock Marco unusually and unintentionally, but it was aimed at Radalfo. Beatrice and Catherine seem to be more patient. It is extremely ironic that Eddie has to listen to Marco and Radalfo. Eddie seems very rude towards Marco and Radalfo. The tensions between the characters erupt silently, preparing us for Act 2.
Radalfo realises Eddie is getting possessive with Catherine. When Catherine plays ‘ paper doll’ and asks Radalfo to dance Eddie’s antagonism becomes vast. Eddie again raises the conversation about how Radalfo can cook, but Eddie reckons he’s gay. Marco sees uneasiness. Eddie’s anger is building up and by having conversations and saying sarcastic remarks is not releasing any sort of tension, stress or anger, therefore Eddie invites Marco and Radalfo to a boxing fight. For an excuse to have strong physical contact with Radalfo, he asks Radalfo if he’s fought before, in which he replies ‘ no!’ Eddie exclaims well, come on, I’ll teach you!’ here Eddie has a fantastic advantage to get revenge and release all his stresses. As predicted Eddie punches Radalfo on the cheek and everyone is astonished. Marco strangely proclaims ‘ can you lift this chair?’ Marco says this is a challenging manner and puts the challenge across Eddie; Eddie fails not once, not twice, but the third too. Marco succeeds easily, for him it was easy as lifting cotton wool but for Eddie it was as hard as lifting a lorry. Marco’s point was to prove Eddie he wasn’t as strong as he thought he was. It was coming across as a warning. It wiped the smile off Eddie’s face. Marco seemed angry. Marco’s tension towards Eddie begins. By now all the characters realise what Eddie is trying to do. Time has passed and things have got worse. Radalfo has realised the possessiveness Eddie has towards Catherine. We see Catherine is scared of Eddie ‘ im afraid of Eddie here’. Catherine from childhood has never disobeyed Eddie at all Radalfo mentions a sarcastic remark ‘ then why are you afraid? That he’ll spank you?’ this is referring that Catherine is being treated like a six year old and needs to be disciplined. Catherine surprisingly seems to defend Eddie. Catherine says ‘ then why don’t she be a women?’ here she is contemplating that Beatrice needs to sexually comfort Eddie and support him in a wifely manner she needs to satisfy him. When Catherine and Radalfo come out of the bedroom, Eddie comes in the house drunk. When breaking the news that Catherine is going to move out and marry Radalfo it goes way beyond pear shape. Situations get out of hand. Eddie is so drunk he does not realise what he is doing. When he kisses Catherine, then 10 seconds later kisses Radalfo it re-confirms his disgustingness. He kisses her in contempt. Eddie is totally oblivious of the situation but still carries on, he is too possessive, out of desperation. Its like he owns a property and it has been stolen from him as a sweet is stolen from a baby’s hand. It shows how inconsiderate and how desperate he can go.
Eddie visits Alfieri for the second and last time. Alfieri is sitting there as if he were expecting Eddie. Eddie tried to say just because Radalfo didn’t fight him didn’t make him a man. In fact that showed he was manlier, brave, matured and had respect. Alfieri warns Eddie not to call the Immigration Office he warns him that no-body will talk to him and the people who even understand him will despise him. He will be left a lonely man, ‘ you won’t have a friend in the world, Eddie! Even those who understand will turn against you, even the one’s that feel the same will despise you’. Alfieri tells him not to even think about it. Alfieri tells him not to do it at all, everyone (Marco, Radalfo, Catherine, and Beatrice) trust him not too. Wee see Eddie is going to a BIG DOWNFALL, but does not realise the consequences even though Alfieri has bluntly pointed it out. When Eddie rings the Immigration Bureau the audience have an immediate hatred impact on Eddie. Eddie informs everything when they further question him he hangs up seeing Louis and Mike his friends in the distance walking towards him. When hanging up we already see he is frightened of the outcomes and consequences he seems to be regretting things. Eddie talks to Louis and Mike as if he has done nothing wrong, when reaching home he is putting a front on, he talks as if he is innocent and it oblivious of danger arising. When talking to Beatrice he has the audacity to be abominable and talk to her in a vile abrupt manner. Eddie appears to be more uptight and furious, while in conversation with Beatrice. Eddie talks to Beatrice and makes out he is the victim and is people target (Eddie in so many ways tries to imply that everyone has changed around him but in actual fact its him, he has changed.) Eddie is explicit. Once they all find out, the Immigration Officers arrive Marco accuses Eddie, and Marco’s attitude switches, his respect and loyalty goes totally downhill, he looks in Eddie’s eyes with HATRED, PITY, AND DISGUST. When the Immigration people arrive, Eddie is very blunt of his actions by his guilty, desperate, inconsistent self. Catherine, Beatrice, Marco and Radalfo look at him as a stranger, he has no meaning. They spit at him. Beatrice and Catherine seem very surprised at how he could take these horrible steps. Was he that desperate? How could he be so VILE? By stage directions we see Marco spits on Eddie’s face, with anger. Marco accuses Eddie of killing his children due to calling the Immigration Bureau, they will take Marco and Radalfo then Marco will not be able to earn money and send it to his family, again we see Eddie is a selfish, inconsiderate, and vindictive person. His personality totally switches. The people on the streets see this commotion and are horrendous. They all look at Eddie in a confused, and angry way. Why did Eddie have to resort to this? The crowd turn to Eddie as if he were a ‘murderer’. When Eddie tries to talk to his friends they don’t want to know him. Nobody wants to talk or see him.
Eddie mentions later on the play, near the end ‘ I got nothin’ against Marco. Which he called me a rat in front of the neighbourhood? He said I killed his children’. The reason for Marco proclaiming this was because Eddie was selfish enough not to consider Marco’s family. If Marco was a loyal man then why did Eddie inform him to the Immigration Bureau? After all Eddie puts Marco and Radalfo through, Radalfo comes to apologise, however Eddie and his stubborn, vile, and inconsistent self is still not satisfied…. Apologies are not what Eddie really wants not from Radalfo or Beatrice.
At the end of the play Beatrice knows what Eddie wants and makes it clear to everyone ‘ if Marco’ll kiss your hand outside, if he goes on his knees and apologises, what is he got to give you? That’s not what you want. You want something else Eddie you can never HAVE HER! By this Catherine seems surprised that Eddie actually loves her. Eddie is shocked and horrified that Beatrice has come out with it, but knows its true deep down. Beatrice even says ‘ the truth is not as bad as blood, Eddie! I’m telling you the truth- tell her goodbye forever!’
Radalfo does not want any trouble, yet people still carry on.
Eddie seems to reckon just by allowing Marco and Radalfo to stay at his house everyone should let Eddie do anything he wants. Marco and Radalfo had a great deal of respect and loyalty for Eddie. Just because Radalfo and Catherine fall in love Eddie had no right to inform the police, Eddie now comes across as a vile character. When we come to the last of the play we realise that Eddie does not give up he thinks that he is still in the right, ‘ you lied about me, Marco. Now say it. Come on, say it’ that was his last words! Catherine then says ‘ Eddie, I never meant to do nothing bad to you’. Catherine still manages to ask for forgiveness even though nobody apart from Eddie was wrong. Eddie dies in a tragic and painful way, if he wanted to he could of made things better by letting Catherine discover her independence with who, how she wants. Catherine was not to blame for Eddie Carbones death, in fact no one was, he brought everything upon himself, various types of people warned him, yet his ignorance and stubbornness lead to DEATH!
Eddie goes to his death having acknowledged denying his weaknesses and errors. He dies thinking he is still right. Each character now realises what Eddie’s real personality and features were. The audience and the characters all saw Eddie as a well respected, loyal man who suddenly outraged and deteriorated into a vile, abrupt, vulgar, insensitive, and inconsiderate animal. The way he approached people was totally different after finding out Catherine’s romance life. After me reading this book I, think Eddie got what he deserved. His ignorance and pride was absurd. He needed to be taught a lesson. Eddie was a strong character but was very stubborn. He could never expect the fact that Catherine was someone else’s. Eddie Carbone could have saved his life by letting Catherine go and lead a life where she would be happy. Happiness should have been Eddie’s priority not pride and bitterness.
