In a poor Italian community of Brooklyn, the Carbone family consists of three members, the man of the house Eddie Carbone, his wife Beatrice Carbone and their niece Catherine. They didn't consider that their little world of happiness

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In a poor Italian community of Brooklyn, the Carbone family consists of three members, the man of the house Eddie Carbone, his wife Beatrice Carbone and their niece Catherine. They didn't consider that their little world of happiness would be turning upside down with the arrival of Beatrice's cousin Marco and Rodolpho. Reading and watching the story, I will base my 'evidence' on who was to blame for Eddie Carbone's murder.

Eddie Carbone was a 40 year old man, who was a husky and slightly overweight longshoreman. He's an ordinary man who lives in a poor Italian community of Brooklyn with his family. He is 'the master of the house' or 'the man of the house' - both Beatrice and Catherine are obviously used to him laying down the rules. He sees this as a 'manly' thing to do and he expects all men to do the same - which is why he can't seem to accept Rodolpho's more gentle talents. He showed his generosity to his wife's cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, by letting them stay around his house. Even though having lived in Brooklyn most of his life, he still doesn't trust the people around him. His 'Honour' and 'Pride' means a lot to him. He would do anything to protect his good name.

He is very protective of his niece, Catherine. He considers her his own little daughter. He paid for her typing lessons and had ambitions for her to rise to a different class. He is proud of her looks, yet is concerned about her new job and the attention she receives from men. He finds it hard to admit that she has become a woman. "I guess I just never figured... that you would ever grow up." However, it soon becomes apparent that Eddie is in love with Catherine. He has not made love to his wife for three months. He quickly becomes jealous of Rodolpho because of the immediate impression on Catherine. The stage directions point out to us, "He looks at (Catherine) like a lost boy"; when she tells him she loves Rodolpho. He is unable to admit this shameful emotion to himself and becomes angry when Beatrice and Alfieri dare to mention it. His feelings for Catherine become more obsessive and he tries to do everything in his power to prevent her marriage with Rodolpho.

He attempts to prove that Rodolpho is more of a 'sissy' then a real 'man' unfortunately all his efforts are wasted. Catherine isn't having any of it. She believes in Rodolpho. He says that Rodolpho is more into 'sewing', 'cooking' and 'singing' then into any 'manly stuff'. He claims that Rodolpho is a 'homosexual' and is only using her to gain 'US citizenship'. He tries to get the law involved to stop Catherine and Rodolpho's marriage. Frustration builds in Eddie, when Alfieri tells him that the law can't do anything about it. He also tries violence, by teaching Rodolpho how to 'box'. Marco, however, takes immediate note of this and comes to his brother's aid. Eddie becomes desperate. He calls the immigration authorities and tells them about his wife's 'illegal cousins'.
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The immigration authorities arrive and take away the brothers. This really makes Marco angry. He manages to escape from the authorities to spit in Eddie's face before being caught again and dragged off to Jail. Now, this gives Eddie a bad name in the poor Brooklyn community in which he lives in. Marco manages to get out of jail.

He has no option but to try and clear his name by fighting Marco in a barbaric 'street fight'. He brings out a 'knife' to try and convince him to tell everyone that he was not the ...

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