What links ‘A View From The Bridge’ specifically to traditional Greek tragedies is the use of Alfieri as a chorus. In ancient Greek tragedies a chorus was extremely common – a narrator who foresaw the play’s events and gave the audience insights into the story and a better understanding of both the characters and the situations; although never intervening in the action itself. What is therefore unusual about Alfieri is that although he is a chorus, he also plays a character who becomes involved in the situation, however emphasis is put on Alfieri’s powerlessness to do anything to prevent what he knows will be the outcome. He can only warn Eddie of what may come as a result of his behaviour. Alfieri’s desperation to prevent what he knows will happen is evident. The audience is given an increased understanding of the inescapable tragedy to come through Alfieri’s despair throughout the play and his frustration at his inability to make Eddie see where he is “going to end” if he carries on the way he is. Greek tragedies were known for having three ‘unities’: one continuous plot; one continuous setting and a continuous timescale of no more than 24 hours. Although ‘A View From The Bridge’ does not fit to this timescale, the play does feature a comparably fast pace. Miller himself said of the play which was first performed as a One-Act play was that it was this way simply because he could not find a “point of pause” within the drama. ‘A View From The Bridge’ does however consist of one continuous plot taking place across one setting. Alfieri is used to highlight the continuous setting about which all the play’s events occur. On the stage, Alfieri is omnipresent and lights are used to draw attention to him at various points throughout the play when he acts as the chorus. This use of omnipresence puts emphasis on the single and incessant setting for the play. Subliminally also, this continual use of a single setting – the Red Hook neighbourhood - stresses the importance of the community within Brooklyn to the audience. We can see how strong the role of the community is, and how consequential it would be to break the Sicilian code of behaviour and effectively betray the community.
Alfieri’s role as a character and chorus can also be seen within the play’s title. It is interesting how the metaphorical interpretation of the title relates directly to Alfieri’s function. As a character within the play, Alfieri is a lawyer who does not fit in with the norm of Brooklyn. People are wary of him, at the beginning of the play Alfieri tells the audience that it is considered “unlucky to meet” a lawyer because of the “suspicion” and “distrust” that it is associated with the profession. Alfieri goes onto to explain why this is; giving the audience a vital insight into what is important to the Sicilians living in the neighbourhood. They have their own “law” and system of “justice” that has been brought over from their home-land, Sicily. So from the very start of the play we gain the impression that Alfieri is a wise individual, that because of his Italian roots he has an edge over others in his profession in so far as he has a much greater understanding of how the people living in Red Hook operate. He knows what their values are and what is and is not tolerated. What separates him from the other Sicilians in Brooklyn is his knowledge of the American law system. With knowledge of both the different law systems, Alfieri has a great understanding of the situations and circumstances which arise in the area he lives. This image of Alfieri as an objective and intelligent, almost superior member of the community seems to refer to the play’s title. It is possible to see the metaphor of the ‘Bridge’ as a direct reference to Alfieri who acts as an observer as both his character and in his role as the chorus, he watches the events unfold, knowing all along how it will end, yet he remains powerless to prevent any of it. This notion of Alfieri as omniscient ties in with the idea of being high up on the Brooklyn Bridge, looking down and observing all the proceedings yet being unable to act in any way to stop the tragedy which will result. The use of Alfieri within the play relates to the title metaphorically in other ways too. In addition to being all-knowing and wise, the connection between Alfieri as a lawyer of American Law and his awareness of the Sicilian code of honour could depict Alfieri as the bridge himself, a link between the Sicilian world of justice and honour and the American world of law and order. Further to this concept of Alfieri as the ‘Bridge’; his knowledge of the outcome of the play adds to the portrayal of him as a bridge, this time between life and death. Throughout the play Alfieri’s desperation for Eddie to see where his actions are “heading” is apparent. As an educated man, Alfieri employs different tactics when trying to explain concepts to clients, with Eddie he starts off by subtly trying to hint at why Eddie’s behaviour has to stop; the further through the play we get, the more desperate Alfieri becomes for Eddie to realise. Alfieri’s manner and tone changes, he becomes much more forceful and blunt in the way he speaks and behaves. This behaviour which is explained by basic human psychology – the more frantic you are for someone to understand something, the simpler you say it in the hope that there is no possibility of a misunderstanding. This adds to the audience’s awareness of Alfieri’s desperation to prevent the tragic outcome by making Eddie see how it will “end”. Alfieri’s attempts to stop the situation ending in tragedy – ultimately Eddie’s death, could be seen as a bridge between life and death - a bridge which Eddie is walking along.
Alfieri’s monologues are a vital part of the play. Whilst helping to maintain the audience’s attention through ensuring everybody understands what is going on; Alfieri’s monologues are also key in developing the audience’s awareness of the changing dynamics throughout the play. The way Alfieri is presented to us would appear to be quite deliberate in order to maintain the audience’s belief in Alfieri. At the start of the play the reasons why Alfieri stands out against the crowd of Brooklyn are addressed and we are told he is a well-respected lawyer, both his age and appearance are factors used to sway the audience’s trust and belief in what he has to say. Described as “greying”, his appearance hints at his age suggesting he is mature. This age group are often seen as the wiser generation, unsurprisingly owing to their experience of life. This is certainly the case with Alfieri; as an audience we are more likely to believe what he says not only because of his age but also the way Miller portrays him. It is apparent that he is an educated, middle class member of the society who although considered best to be avoided by most people, is respected too. Alfieri’s objectivity during the play adds to the audience’s impression that he is a fair and wise man.
It is likely that Miller used Alfieri as his main vocal-piece and as a method by which to get his points across. It is known that one of Miller’s reasons for creating ‘A View From The Bridge’ was his determination to show people that the loss of life of a poor, low-born was equally tragic as the death of an upper class member of society. Miller’s play certainly supports this, and a vital part of proving this point is Alfieri who without providing the audience with an insight, and consequent sympathy for Eddie would not result in an experience of catharsis amongst the audience.
Miller also uses Alfieri’s monologues to create structure within the play. Although there are only two acts, it is important that the change that has taken place in Act One is evident from then on in the play, throughout the final Act. At the end of Act One, there has been a significant change in the relationship dynamics between Eddie and Marco. Although Eddie originally liked and respected Eddie and visa versa; Marco has now felt the need to demonstrate to Eddie that if he messes with Rodolfo, he is messing with Marco too. From Act Two onwards there is a noticeable difference in the relationships between all the characters. Alfieri is used to open Act Two and in doing so acts as a marker of the changes which have taken place. Monologues
Alfieri’s very first monologue which opens the play sets the scene for the entire performance. The audience are given an essential understanding of how for Sicilians living in Red Hook, American “law” is not a “friendly idea”; but that their own code of “justice” is very “important” to them. Alfieri warns the audience that he believes settling “for half” is “better” than trying to seek total justice. This is an important point as later in the play Alfieri tells the audience that it is Eddie’s refusal to compromise that will lead to his death. It is this monologue that allows the audience to put the play’s following events into context and understand the relevance of each incident.
Further into the play, Alfieri helps the audience again to understand the significance of events. Alfieri’s discussion with Eddie demonstrates to the audience that Eddie’s passion for Catherine is so strong that his body appears “moved” by it. Alfieri also hints at where Eddie’s thoughts may lead him, concerning dobbing Beatrice’s cousins into the authorities in a bid to break up the romance between his niece and Rodolfo. He says to Eddie that the law has no concern with their relationship; its only involvement would be the “manner” in which the immigrants “entered the country”. Alfieri subtly tries to warn Eddie that he does not “think” it would be a wise idea to do “anything” about it though. It is also within this monologue that Alfieri hints at the inevitability of the tragedy to come, that there is no “mystery” about it, it is bound to happen and he is helpless to “stop it”.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that Alfieri holds a vital role within the play. He is the key to maintaining the audience’s understanding of the drama and ensuring that we are aware of the changing dynamics and situations which evolve throughout the performance. He helps to develop our awareness of what the effect of these events are. It is clear also that Miller has used Alfieri quite intentionally as a way through which to express some of his views, his main ambition being to prove to people that the death of a low-born character is equally as tragic as the death of a high-born one. He clearly accomplishes this in ‘A View From The Bridge’. Alfieri is not only used to enhance the audience’s understanding of the play but also to create a structure, distinguishing between the two acts. Effectively Alfieri is the view from the bridge; he sits and watches the events unfold, watching helplessly as Eddie walks closer and closer to the other side, knowing what the tragic outcome will be, yet remaining powerless to prevent it.
