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This extract from A view from the bridge by Arthur Miller is just after Catherine and Rodolfo are left alone at home, In this scene Eddies worst nightmare is realized when he sees both of them together coming from the bedroom.

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Introduction

With close reference to the following extract, discuss Miller's presentation of Eddie's state of mind at this point in the play. This extract from 'A view from the bridge' by Arthur Miller is just after Catherine and Rodolfo are left alone at home, In this scene Eddie's worst nightmare is realized when he sees both of them together coming from the bedroom. This infuriates him and he believes that the worst has happened. The scene conveys Eddie's irrational state of mind and highlights his peripeteia. Miller uses the stage directions and character's dialogues to highlight tension and to convey the rising conflict both external between Eddie and Rodolfo and Catherine by kissing them and internally within Eddie. Miller conveys with the help of language techniques such as: imperative and adjectives, Eddies lack of control over his body which in turn results in his instinctual behavior coming to the fore. Through Miller's presentation of Eddie's jealousy and hatred towards Rodolfo the audience slowly loses sympathy for him and is now regarding him as an outcast. ...read more.

Middle

It also makes the audience pity him as he has to use whiskey to numb his pain as he cannot find another way to deal with the problem. The act of kissing Catherine on the mouth has s****l overtones and show's Eddie's irrational state of mind; it highlights his passion for Catherine and his inappropriate feelings for her. This is triggered by Eddie's long affection for her which with the help of the whiskey he is able to face. Eddie's use of imperatives shows of his self centeredness as he wants to keep Catherine all to himself by commanding her that 'you ain't goin' nowheres'. However the climax of the scene is reached when he 'kisses her on the mouth'. He does the by force as he 'draws her to him' 'as she strives to free herself' showing the extent of his irrationality and his lack of control over his actions. The audience feels horrified by his actions and loses sympathy for him. ...read more.

Conclusion

The audience picks up on Eddie's desperate mind and is reminded of his mocking of Rodolfo's skills in the play such as 'cooking' and 'singing' as in this extract Eddie again mocks Rodolfo when he asks Catherine 'Rodolfo making you a dress?' imply his homosexuality. Miller uses these two kisses to convey the extent of Eddie's desperation and pain and emphasizes on his lack of self control. Arthur Miller through this extract conveys to the audience Eddie's unstable state of mind. It reveals his inner self conflict with his reasoning and instincts and shows his external conflict with both Catherine and Rodolfo. Miller uses the sequential kissing to highlight tension and Eddie's peripeteia while bringing the scene to its climax. Eddie's lack of self control results in his instinctual behaviour coming to the fore and taking over his rationality. The audience is presented with Eddie's irrational state of mind combined with his unhealthy love for Catherine and hatred and jealousy towards Rodolfo. By Bill Liu 12HlM ?? ?? ?? ?? ...read more.

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