How does the writer use the character Eddie to increase the tension in the scene ?

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How does the writer use the character Eddie to increase the tension in the scene ?

The scene starts with Eddie in a bad mood and this continues throughout the whole scene, apart from when he hits Rodolfo, this is the only time when Eddie seems to actually be happy and pleased.

Eddie overreacts to anything that Rodolfo says to him. When they are talking about oranges being painted, Rodolfo says, “Lemons are green”. Eddie Reacts straight away to Rodolfo. He says, “I know lemons are green for Christ’s sake, you see them in the store they’re green sometimes. I said oranges they paint I didn’t say nothing about Lemons. Eddies reaction was totally uncalled for and inappropriate; Rodolfo was only trying to impress Eddie, but Eddie took his comment as an insult. Eddie thinks that Rodolfo is trying to patronise him by saying that the lemons are green. He knows that lemons are green and thinks that he should not have to be told that by someone like Rodolfo.

        Eddie tries to separate himself from the rest of the group. The stage directions are, “He (Eddie) goes to his rocker, picks up a newspaper”. Eddie does not want to be included within the group, especially at that time because they were talking about where Rodolfo and Marco travelled. Eddie does not want to hear about Rodolfo’s achievements. He is feeling a sort of jealousy, Beatrice and Catherine are talking about Rodolfo and he does not like it. Eddie tries to act like he is not interested in what is going on around him; this is why he picks up a newspaper.

Eddie respects Marco and he only addresses him when he starts to talk, he tries to ignore Rodolfo. After Rodolfo has just spoken, Eddie addresses Marco and says, “They pay all right on them boats?” Even though Rodolfo had just spoken; Eddie spoke as if he was just starting a conversation. He did not even try to acknowledge that Rodolfo has just spoken.  Rodolfo was trying to impress Eddie again but Eddie was not interested in him, he changes the subject as quickly as possible. He addressed his comment to Marco even though it was Rodolfo who had just spoken, Eddie acts as if he has not heard him at all.  

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When Eddie starts to make a point he cannot control himself, even if it offensive to the wrong people. While they are talking about Marcos’s wife, Eddie says “ I betcha there’s plenty surprises sometimes when those guys get back there, heh?”  He carries on to explain himself, “(laughing) I mean, you know – they count the kids and there’s a couple extra than when they left?” Eddie does not realise what he has said to Marco is very rude. He just assumes that Marco will laugh it off with him. He has been rude to Marco, who he believed ...

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