Why does Miller include the characters Alfieri in

By Matthew Benyayer

Why does Miller include the characters Alfieri in “A View From A Bridge?”

The character Alfieri has a very important role in the play “ A View From The Bridge.” Alfieri acts both as a narrator and commentator but his main function is to offer ideas to the audience to set them thinking about the message of the play.

Alfieri is a character in the play and yet his advice is objective and sympathetic. Alfieri is the first character to speak in the play; he therefore sets the scene and informs the audience the background to the action. He is a lawyer but in this area of Brooklyn the people distrust the law, he tells us “A lawyer means the law, and in Sicily, from where their fathers come, the law has not been a friendly idea since the Greeks were beaten”. This speech immediately sets up tension between Alfieri, a representative of written law and the Italian immigrant community, who prefer to follow their own ‘law’, the Italian law of natural justice!

Alfieri was born in Italy and tells us in his first speech that “I only came here when I was twenty-five.” Because he grew up in Italy, Alfieri understands the other characters very well. They are all Italian immigrants and have a very similar background. The audience understands how fatalistic Alfieri is when he says “another lawyer…. sat there as powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course.” He is telling the audience that he can sense that a terrible event is about to happen but knows he is powerless to prevent this. He understands that in such a community it is better to “settle for half.” Alfieri is a realist who is prepared to make a compromise between two cultures. He knows that there will always be injustice no matter how hard he tries to help the citizens of Red Hook. He is happy that he “no longer needs to keep a gun in my filing cabinet.” Alfieri acts as a witness to the events as they happen and he makes comments on what has occurred or what is about to happen. Alfieri tells us that the people of Red Hook “lack elegance and glamour,” and that he has to deal with their “petty troubles.” But on this occasion something important is about to happen but there is nothing that he can do to prevent a tragedy. The only thing he can do is that he won’t be able to stop “sat there powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course.”

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Alfieri’s opening speech has a conversational style and when he says, “you wouldn’t have known it, but something amusing has just happened,” he immediately draws the audience into the play. From the beginning, the audience must think about the issues which Miller feels are important, for example Italian immigrants and how they are treated by American law in New York as well as examining human nature and how Italians react to conflicts. Alfieri’s use of the pronoun “you” in his opening lines not only involves the audience but emphasise that he will act as a kind of mediator between the audience and the characters in the play. He is detached from the events that are taking place and always gives good advice, especially when he becomes a character in the play. Alfieri is sympathetic to the situation of Eddie and the other immigrants as he tries to explain the law to both Marco and Eddie. However, in his heart he knows that the characters will ignore the advice they have been given. He tells Eddie, “I have my own children. I understand you. But the law is very specific. The law does not….” Alfieri is again stating his position as a representative of the law and this is a central theme in the play.

Alfieri is essential to the structure of the play. He moves the action quickly onwards and helps the audience to understand the themes of the play. In just a few words the whole of Eddie’s future is revealed when Alfieri says, “ Carbone had never expected to have a destiny.” Alfieri tries to make Eddie realise that his relationship with Catherine is dangerous but Eddie does not accept this. Alfieri is very rational and unemotional when he informs Eddie that no law has been broken, “There is nothing you can do, Eddie, believe me.” Alfieri uses humour, which helps him to appear more human to the audience. At the beginning of act 2 he mentions a case of Scotch whisky slipping “ from a net while being unloaded.” This shows how well Alfieri understands the Italian longshoreworker’s mentality. Alfieri speaks to Eddie as a friend, “Let her go and bless her.” He urges Eddie to accept things as they are. He explains that the law, despite its limitations, must be upheld. Alfieri warns Eddie that if he betrays the cousins he will be breaking the code of his people and they will turn against him. “You won’t have a friend in the world Eddie even those who understand you will turn against you even the ones who feel the same will despise you.”

Alfieri also fulfils other roles in the play “A View From The Bridge.” As well as giving background information about New York immigrants, Alfieri also expands the audience’s knowledge on the characters. Alfieri shows understanding for Eddie’s problems and asks for the audience’s sympathy for Eddie’s troubles. He talks about Eddie’s difficult life, that “he was as good a man as he had to be in a life that was hard and even.” This view echoes Arthur Miller’s own view about human nature “The mind of Eddie is not comprehensible apart from in relation to his neighbourhood.” Alfieri gives an insight into Eddie’s character and lifestyle, almost apologizing for Eddie’s strange behaviour. The audience trust Alfieri’s opinion and want to learn more about Eddie’s character.

Alfieri’s role is also to increase dramatic tension throughout the play. In his opening speech, he describes how “the flat air in my office suddenly washes in with the green scent of the sea…and watched it run its bloody course.” From the beginning of the play, the audience is waiting for something to happen. The audience are asked to question the role of destiny and whether people are able to change their destiny and Alfieri helps the audience to understand this point. Even Alfieri’s good advice cannot stop the tragedy; nothing stays the same and people such as Eddie will always follow their heart instead of their head. Alfieri urges Eddie to think about what is right for Catherine, telling him, “The child has to grow up and go away and the man has to learn to forget.” This is good advice but Eddie will not follow it. The audience, however, are instructed by Alfieri to think about why it is important not to be ruled by passion but to follow the sensible path.

Alfieri has a very important function in the play as through him we learn about his thoughts on justice and the law. The audience are made to think about the consequences of uncontrolled anger or jealousy. Alfieri also highlights the injustices towards the New York immigrants. However, at the end of the play Alfieri makes a final comment; being a realist, he knows that it is better to make compromises and to “settle for half.” However, a part of him admires Eddie’s character. Eddie is not hiding behind a mask, he follows his own path and does not conform to society’s rules, “He allowed himself to be wholly known and for what I think I will love him more than all my sensible clients.” The audience are left to consider this very important message from the author who throughout the play has used the character of Alfieri to communicate his thoughts on life and human nature.

By Matthew Benyayer