Alfieri helps understanding in the play. Part of Alfieri's role in the play is to create dramatic irony so the audience knows more than the characters do. Through this and other methods he builds tension in the play.
As the narrator,Alfieri introduces the play and tells the audience a little about what the play is about and what is might be based around. At the start he uses the phrase “bloody course” which suggests the play might have a violent and tragic ending.
His opening speech sets the scene and introduces the area as quite under privileged and violent. He also introduces the idea of two types of justice- community justice and the law. He is important to this theme because his character symbolises the law. He describes in brief the beliefs of the people in that community, the minority of Italians in America during the 1940’s. He says, “Oh, there were many here who were justly shot by unjust men. Justice is very important here.” This quote explains one of the most important Italian laws, justice. Which is a theme that runs throughout the whole play. In this way he sets the scene for the audience, what kind of area it is and what might happen there.
Arthur chose Alfieri to be the narrator quite cleverly. Alfieri is educated, respected and is a level higher then the characters in the play, this highlights the mis-education and struggles of not only Eddie Carbone and the other characters but longshoremen and their families. That is clearly a complete contrast of characters but they all interlink with eachother very well, particularly Eddie and Alfieri.
During the play Alfieri addresses the audience directly so that the reader can have a clearer understanding of what the play is about and what the characters feelings and motives are. It makes the scene more personal.
Alfieri is a very important character for Eddie, who is the main person in the play, the ‘tragic hero’. Alfieri helps the audience see how Eddie’s story is tragic. If Alfieri was not there to guide Eddie through his problems and struggles the audience may not understand how Eddie came to make the decisions he did, and why it was those same decisions that caused his own death hence his comparison to a tragic hero.
Alfieri, being originally from Italy himself, he knew of both the American and the Italian culture, so he was the most neutral character in the play and therefore could not be biased. He understood they way the Italians worked, he understood the importance of family values and their own type of law. Where if families experienced problems no third parties should get involved i.e. the police or strangers. He knew that they were to deal with it themselves without fuss. But being a lawyer in America he lives by the American law because that’s what he’s used to. You might say he became naturalised. Before, he still lived like an Italian in America but realised he preferred the American way of life. He says, “I no longer keep a pistol in my filing cabinet” Which suggests he was aware that the basis of solving a problem the Italian way was by using violence.
Alfieri has also been seen in the play as ‘omnipresent’ as if he was a god- like figure or guardian angel for Eddie. He comes in and out of the play when Eddie needs moral guidance and advice about his situation. Eddie goes to Alfieri as a lawyer but also as a friend. Similarly to how people would turn to God when in need. The way he updates the audience periodically suggests that he is watching over the characters.
Alfieri’s character could be described as tough but calm, he deals with a hard situation when advising Eddie but manages to handle it quite well and set Eddie straight when he was on the wrong path.
Alfieri represents success in the play. He is not an Italian longshoreman like most of the other people in that community, he is an educated lawyer with money a wife and what you might associate with a successful man.
