After Alfieri finishes his speech the focus is now on Eddie Carbone. A slightly over weight longshoreman. We see straight away that he is a character of authority. When Catherine appears and waits on him in an affectionate way. Catherine is a seventeen year old who because of her mother’s death is living with her Aunt Beatrice and her husband, Eddie. Eddie has taken it upon himself to be a father to Catherine and to give her very best in life. Therefore because of his ‘fatherly’ affections Eddie And Catherine have developed a close family relationship. Eddie’s first comments to Catherine are all centred on Catherine’s appearance. References are made about her hair, clothes and about her ‘Walkin wavy’. This obsessive attention to Catherine’s physical appearance is extremely questionable especially when he asks her to turn around so he can see her back. When Eddie becomes quite adamant that he disapproves of the way she walks, Catherine is ‘almost in tears’. The simple act of crying shows the audience how vulnerable she is. In today’s society it would be unusual to see a girl of seventeen so dependent on her guardian. But it is obvious that she views him only as a father figure because some of the things he says upset her. She almost reduces herself to a baby for him, to please him. She doesn’t like to see Eddie angry or cross with her. For example, Catherine was really pleased with her new skirt and heels. But Eddie claims that it is too short and “people’s heads will be turning like windmills”. As Catherine gets upset over this. We as the audience know that Eddie is only jealous that other men may start to take an interest in her. She is clearly confused by the way he is acting, one minute he likes it the next minute, it’s too short. Catherine is always running around after him, getting him a beer or a cigar and she constantly looks for his approval. Eddie’s intentions here are and throughout the next section of the play, questionable. Is he attracted or is it just parental pride?
Although the audience do not know what to expect from this section, it is already obvious that the relationship that Eddie has with Catherine is not natural. When Catherine forms a barricade with Beatrice and asks Eddie if she can accept a job, Eddie’s emotions become confused. Eddie seems to dampen everything that Catherine wants to do, however with further persuasion from Beatrice he gives in after calling Catherine “Madonna” and carrying on for a long time. Catherine does not like being called this. It makes her feel uncomfortable and rather embarrassed. However she is unaware of what he actually means.
It is very apparent the obsessive concern that Eddie has for Catherine is out of place. When Beatrice confronts him, “Are you going to keep her in the house forever?” Eddie is very defensive, almost overly defensive. If Eddie does not settle for half and he wants Catherine, trouble will certainly follow because he certainly cannot get Catherine.
Eddie ironically tells the tragic story of Vinny Bonzano, who told the Immigration Bureau that his uncle was an illegal immigrant and staying with them. He was then disowned from the community. This states the harsh reactions that the community has against someone who ‘Breaks the code’. The result is always violence. Eddie tells this ‘tragic story’ because the immigrants are on their way.
There is a clear indication of Eddie’s sexual desire, when Catherine lights his cigar. The warm affectionate act between niece and uncle has an obvious sensual meaning in this context.
As Catherine enters into the kitchen embarrassed, Eddie is alone; he obviously has things on his mind. Alfieri’s appearance is brief but significant; we are encouraged to feel sympathy and respect for Eddie. But the last line is a warning. Alfieri’s appearance is also to highlight the effect the brother’s arrival.
The play then plummets into the arrival of Beatrice’s two cousins from Italy who are illegal immigrants. The arrival of the cousins creates apprehension, although Marco who is the eldest is very courteous towards Eddie.
Rodolpho is the younger of the two and he is blonde. This fascinates Catherine. And she voices her fascination like a child who is curious about something. As Eddie enters the rooms he can sense that Catherine and Rodolpho are getting along very well. So Eddie sends Catherine out of the room to make the coffee. Catherine obviously wants to be engaged in the conversation with Rodolpho as she comes back in from the kitchen to listen and she forgets the coffee as Eddie again says to her, “What happened to the coffee?” Catherine still does not get the coffee as Beatrice says, ‘I’ll get the coffee”. Catherine is busy talking to Rodolpho. Eddie, as a father figure may have been concerned about Catherine falling for a man she knows nothings about and not wanting her to get her hopes up. He could also feel that Rodolpho is competing with him for Catherine’s affections. However maybe he is worried that Rodolpho is a threat to win Catherine on a more intimate level. Eddie is obviously very mixed up with his emotions.
After the two brothers speak of their home in Italy, Catherine asks Rodolpho whether he is married. This direct action causes Beatrice to ‘cover up’ what Catherine had just said. When Rodolpho says that he can sing and he sings ‘Paper Doll’ for Catherine, Eddie can see Catherine’s eyes shining as she is captured in the music. Eddie cannot stand this attention, so he stops Rodolpho with the excuse that he will be ‘picked up’. Eddie realises that because he was able to get Rodolpho to be quiet so swiftly he is in charge, and therefore, what he says goes. The stage directions say, “He rose with iron control”. This happens as he is realising his power. Eddie then picks Catherine to pieces in front of everyone. Just because she is wearing high heels. Eddie just didn’t like the fact that Catherine put on high heels to make a good impression on a young man Rodolpho. This time Catherine is angry but still obedient. Catherine is suppressing her anger, but it may escalate later. Eddie seems to think that he has control, daring anymore to rival his position.
Alfieri enters and tells us that Eddie never expected to have a destiny. His comment also confirms out thoughts that from this pint the relationship between Eddie and Catherine will inevitably change dramatically.
It is already obvious that Rodolpho excites Catherine and because he has dreams, Eddie will most certainly be jealous.
Beatrice being Eddie’s wife brings important aspects to the play. As the focus of desire for Beatrice has been transferred to Catherine.
It is “After eight” and Catherine and Rodolpho are still not back, Eddie begins to get up tight. Beatrice confronts Eddie about causing a scene when Catherine and Rodolpho come home from a date. Beatrice senses his jealousy and addresses it, she asks, “What’s so terrible about him?” It is at this point that Eddie voices his concern that Rodolpho is weird because he sings, and he has been calling him “Paper Dolls” and “Canary”. He also criticises his “wacky hair” which makes him look like a “chorus girl” Eddie uses anything he can to make Rodolpho seem unfit for Catherine, and takes great pains to try to prove that he is homosexual. Beatrice supports her cousin by challenging Eddie to say that he’s “never seen a blond guy in his life”, and “maybe that’s what they do in Italy” Eddie tries to cover up the truth, so he says; “I ain’t gonna stand around looking at that, for that character I didn’t bring her up.” With this evidence he vividly states that he is protecting the upbringing of his niece.
Beatrice voices her concern foe her marriage, she asks, “When am I gonna be a wife again?” bringing to him her concerns relating to their sexual life, as Beatrice reminds Eddie that they have not “made love for three months”. Eddie obviously is not embarrassed and shows no concern for Beatrice.
Beatrice is also concerned because she suspects Eddie has sexual feelings Catherine. Beatrice has know luck with Eddie over their relationship or over Catherine.
A conversation with two of Eddie’s friends reinforces Eddie’s thoughts about Rodolpho’s sexuality.
When Rodolpho and Catherine return home, Rodolpho tries to make conversation with Eddie, but he insists that he needs to talk to Catherine. Affectionately calling her ‘Katie’. Eddie uses his familiar emotional approach, which is sensitive to Catherine’s emotions. He suggests that all he is doing is ‘looking out’ for her interests. He uses Catherine’s inexperience to denounce her arguments, harshly. Eddie then tells her that Rodolpho is only “Goin with her for his American Passport” He says this in hope that it will force her to break up with him. Catherine sobs and Eddie is alarmed and does not understand why Catherine does not agree with him. Catherine disagreed with him, “oh know Eddie I, I don’t think so.” Eddie then tries telling Catherine that if she marries him, “The next time you see him it’ll be for divorce.” They then argue, as Catherine does not want to believe what her uncle is saying, as she deeply still believes that Rodolpho loves her. Catherine sticks up for Rodolpho, so Eddie’s attempt to split them up has failed. Eddie then orders Beatrice to ‘See to Catherine.’ This is when Beatrice tells Catherine that Eddie may have alternative feelings for her. Up until now, Catherine thought that the world was a lovely place and how the security of her home had been shattered. Catherine now realises that she is going to have to defend herself. Know one else can do it for her. That means that she would have to fight against Eddie. Against Eddie’s authority.
When Eddie first visits Alfieri to ask if the law can separate Catherine and Rodolpho, Alfieri, repeatedly states that there is nothing the law can do and, as he fails Eddie, he and the audience become increasingly aware that tragedy is imminent, and that this will involve Catherine and Rodolpho.
The two characters have poor communications and neither one actually listens to the other. Eddie is trying to find a legal way in which to condemn Rodolpho. Alfieri, a man of the law is telling him that it is impossible and that the only way was ‘The means in which they entered the country.’ Eddie denounces the idea swiftly and seems to regard it totally.
Eddie makes a number of wild, unsubstantiated allegations about Rodolpho from his belief that Rodolpho is using Catherine to get American Citizenship to the fact that Rodolpho has some feminine qualities. These reveal his desperation to get him out of Catherine’s life. Eddie shows graphically how pained he is when he admits to Alfieri, ‘It’s eatin me out to see her in love with Rodolpho’ and Alfieri stares, “I knew where he was heading for, I knew where he was going to end.” He understands that Eddie cannot help his feelings and cannot prevent them either.
Alfieri is fully aware of what is going to happen, but even so he tries to stop it. “She can’t marry you, can she?” He also recognises Eddie’s feelings and tries to relate them to the audience, ‘There is too much love for the niece.’
Eddie’s destiny has already taken him over; it is as though he has already committed a crime, “His eyes are like Tunnels.”
Eddie also says that Rodolpho is stealing from him, that Catherine is his possession. This shows the audience that Eddie is overly possessive over Catherine.
After Eddie and Alfieri’s conversation, Alfieri speaks to the audience and tells us that he knew then how the story would end with absolute certainty:
“I knew. I knew then and there I could have finished the whole story that afternoon… I could see every step coming, step after step…”
But that he was powerless to prevent it. (There is a tragedy on stage, notably Greek tragedy). Eddie behaves appallingly after this.
The next scene is the climax before the second act. In this section Catherine finally realises that she has to stand up to Eddie, the man who brought her up.
There is confusion about the colour of oranges and lemons. Edie says how they “paint oranges so they look orange.” Rodolpho tries to get his point across which concerns lemons. Eddie squashes Rodolpho considerably. The fact that Eddie mentioned the oranges being painted, covering up their identity as an indirect implication to Rodolpho. It could be stating Eddie’s point about Rodolpho’s sexuality that he makes out to be someone that he is not. Beatrice creates peace and asks Marco about his family.
Eddie states that some women are unfaithful while their husbands are off making money, surprisingly for Eddie, Rodolpho states that life is stricter in Italy and Eddie rises to the occasion. Eddie retaliates with the comment that it is also strict over here and he does not like Rodolpho bringing Catherine back so late. Marco given in to Eddie’s power, trying to create peace between the two. There is now an air of tension and suppressed rivalry in the room. Catherine at this point is sick and tired of the person she loves being denounced in such a way. She challenges Eddie’s authority in asking Rodolpho to dance. Eddie simply freezes, and carries on attacking Rodolpho by asking him to box. In this way Eddie was putting Rodolpho to a test. Eddie was wondering if Rodolpho was actually prepared to hit him.
When Rodolpho staggers, we as an audience rise out of our seats, as Rodolpho’s brother you would now be concerned and obliged to do something to save your brother from potentially being harmed. So Marco then challenged Eddie to his own kind of test. When Eddie fails to pick up his chair by one leg, Marco does it exposing his superior strength. Although this action was done without words, Eddie knew what Marco was signalling. Eddie had gone too far and Marco was now protecting his baby brother. Marco, who was previously presented as a quiet, self contained, polite figure, was now questioning Eddie’s authority because Eddie had violated his by action and implication.
Alfieri states that because a case of whisky ‘Accidentally’ fell off a ship Eddie was likely to come home drunk. Another warning. The action then speeds up.
Catherine and Rodolpho show their love for each other through words and they talk about Eddie. Rodolpho knows that Catherine has to get away from Eddie. They make love. Eddie returns to the flat early in the morning, and finds Rodolpho alone with Catherine. Catherine comes to the door to meet him. Rodolpho comes out of the same room and Eddie is able to draw the correct conclusion. Eddie tries to force Rodolpho out of the house. Catherine stands up for herself and tries to go too. As Catherine is trying to state her argument, Eddie pulls her close and kisses her on the mouth, in a sexually charged manner. This is perhaps the part of which it is confirmed that Eddie feels more than fatherly love for her. Rodolpho is disgusted he flies at Eddie. Eddie pins his arms, laughing and suddenly kisses him. Catherine tears at Eddie’s face and Eddie releases Rodolpho. Eddie was trying to prove to her that Rodolpho is gay. Eddie just stands there with tears down his face as he laughs mockingly at Rodolpho. Rodolpho is just rigid. Eddie almost seems like a man possessed.
Eddie goes to Alfieri once again, and this time Alfieri knows what will happen. When Alfieri could not do anything for Eddie. He called the Immigration Bureau. Eddie committed the injustice, which he was so against at the start of the play. Eddie was on his last legs and when the officers came fort he cousins Marco knew that Eddie had called the Bureau. Marco therefore made a large show, telling everyone in the street what Eddie had done. As a final insult to Eddie, Marco chooses to spit in his face, in front of everybody.
By this time, Catherine hates Eddie, but Beatrice still stands by his side, the gesture of a true wife. By this time, the climax has been reached and Marco insults Eddie and accuses him of killing his children. Catherine goes with Rodolpho to get Marco bail. Catherine still wants Eddie to come to her wedding, Beatrice walks up to Eddie with fear, “I’ll be back in about an hour, Eddie, all right?” she says. The audience recognise the dramatic tension here as Eddie’s ‘Rocking’ becomes more intense. Quietly and drained as though he had given up hope Eddie replies with, “What have I been talking to myself again?” The audience see tension between Eddie and Beatrice’s relationship. Eddie’s pride prevents it and prevents Beatrice from going to the Wedding.
The dramatic tension keeps on rising as Catherine walks in to the room and realises what the scenario is. She starts to express her anger in a way not shown in the play previously, when she says, ‘Who the hell do you think you are’ to Eddie. She seems to have broken all emotional ties with him, her love for him has turned to hate, she calls him a ‘Rat’ and is prepared never to see him again, although she does tell the dying Eddie ‘I never meant to do nothing bad to you’.
Marco after a surge of anger finds Eddie and Eddie tries to stab Marco, but Marco turns the knife and Eddie dies. Ad all the events fell into place, Eddie’s last words were ‘My B’. This shows that he was caring and he finally told Beatrice in two words how much she meant to him, the Eddie way.
Eddie Carbone is killed by his own knife, suggesting that it was he who was to blame for his own downfall.
‘Alfieri who is the Narrator throughout the play leaves us at the end of the play with a serious question, “Has justice been done, should we settle for half?” Whether we like it or we don’t, society always gets involved in relations.
The structure of, ‘A View From The Bridge’ helped us to understand the tragedy of Eddie Carbone, In that he was the cause of his own downfall.
Katie
