In one section of evidence, which relates to his own downfall is the possessiveness of Catherine. Catherine is Eddie’s orphaned Niece. In the first scene the audience is immediately given the information that Eddie has a peculiar concern towards his niece. He mentions and details out of her dress sense and suggest it is too short. The evidence showing that he is overprotective is when he indicates that she is walking “wavy”.
“I don’t like the looks they’re givin’ you in the candy store…the heads are turnin’ like windmills.”
In this it is brought immediately to the audience attention of the over protectiveness for his own nice. His concern and obssesiveness of his actions may have a hidden feelings that Eddie has for Catherine. An uncertainty of more than relative love is present with the way he feels for Catherine. Toe Eddie Catherine represents to him as “just a baby” and therefore she “does not understand these things” but this is a cover up for his possessive behaviour.
In Act 1 page6-10 I suggest his behaviour is both possessive and protective but more possessive. As the conversation of Beatrice, Eddie and Catherine it shows that Eddie treats Catherine like a child, and not the rightful age that she should be treated. The relationship between Eddie and Catherine changes with the arrival of Marco and Rodolfo. As they talk and get to known each other Catherine shows an interest to Rodolfo as she keeps gesturing to Beatrice “He’s a real blond” He then sings to her “Paper Doll”, but in a kindest way Eddie tells him to stop. Also that is when the changes of Eddie’s behaviour begin. He embarrasses Catherine by telling her to ‘go ahead’ meaning get out. Eddie again tries to humiliate Catherine so that Rodolfo will lose interest by telling him that “she wants to be an actress” meaning she’s a drama queen. But Rodolfo flirts back by saying
“Especially when the are so beautiful!”
This scene ends with Eddie suspicious on what is occurring in the scene and his face puffed with trouble. This is the start for his Jealousy that he will loose “his” Catherine. In act one page21 it is the first evidence, which Eddie gathers up for his feminine side. As Rodolfo explains that he is a singer he samples his voice and sings “Paper doll” to Catherine. The contrast between Eddie and Rodolfo is a kind of quick friendly disagreements with each other. Which suggests to the audience the relationship between Catherine and Eddie. This is the opening, which relates to Eddies attentive look out towards Rodolfo. As he becomes obsessed to stop Catherine from going out of with Rodolfo.
Eddie tries to influence Catherine as he disapproves on the way Catherine shows attraction to Rodolfo. In act one page28 Eddie accusates and reprimands. Eddie’s possessiveness is reflected in his views on the attention Catherine is attracting from younger men. Eddie continues on to become uncomfortable to Catherine’s Independence and wishes to put her off Rodolfo because of his envious emotions. Catherine explains to Rodolfo that “He almost bows to me!” Eddie has his reasons of sources and says that Rodolfo is only “bowing to his passport!” Eddies only way and evidence to disappoint Catherine is to mention his citizenship. As he believes that the only reason Rodolfo loves Catherine, is because this is the only way he c an be an American Citizen. At this Eddie has skilfully persuaded Catherine and he clearly states
“Them guys don’t think of nobody but their self! You marry him and the next time you see him it’ll be for divorce!”
They argue as Catherine does not want to believe what her Uncle is saying as she deeply still believes that Rodolfo loves her. Catherine sticks up for Rodolfo , as well as considering of what Eddie is suggesting to her. Throughout this there are negative actions and tensions running throughout the household are all because of Eddie, and his jealousy towards Rodolfo and Catherine.
Beatrice being Eddie’s wife plays an important aspects to the play. As the change of desire for Beatrice has been transferred to Catherine. Beatrice senses his jealousy and confronts and asks “What’s so terrible about him?” Eddie cleverly replies back that Rodolfo is weird because he sings, and he is been calling him “Paper Doll” and “Canary!” He also criticises about his “wacky hair” which makes him look like a “chorus girl” just because he’s blond. Beatrice supports his cousin by challenging him that he’s never seen a blond guy in his life, and “Maybe that’s what they do in Italy” supports him to not accuzate that he is weird Eddie tries to cover the truth so he says
“I ain't gonna stand around lookin’ at that. For that Character I didn’t bring her up” with this evidence he vividly states that he is being protective for the upbringing of his niece. But then Beatrice asks “when am I gonna be a wife a again?” meaning and relating about their sexual life, As Beatrice reminds Eddie that they have not had “it” for three months. Eddie obviously is not bothered and shows no concern to Beatrice’s problem.
In Act One page40 Eddie brings out his anger onto Rodolfo by punching him. Everyone else in the room is alarmed and Rodolfo’s brother, Marco shows a little anger Marco then challenges Eddie to lift a chair by its leg with one hand. He does not raise it. So Marco then demonstrates it and succeeds. As the stage directions say
“He transforms what might appear like a glare of warning into a smile of triumph, and Eddie’s grin vanishes as he absorbs his looks.”
This is like Marco’s warning to not attack his brother again. The challenging of the chair is a way to show Eddie that Marco is stronger than him. Which puts the relationship between Marco and Eddie in its place. As Marco is proving to Eddie that he can be higher that Eddie. This is an effective point in the play. As throughout the play the other characters seem to be under the position to Eddie.
Catherine and Rodolfo’s relationship gets more intimate. As they have decide to have sexual Intercourse which would make their relationship more affectionate, but as they rush out of the room after. Unexpectedly Eddie approaches them and catches Catherine and Rodolfo. Although he is drunk this partly excuses his actions, the effects have obviously made him reveal his true thoughts in a disastrous way by kissing his niece. In addition to the unnerving atmosphere and becomes further infuriation by the fact that Catherine and Rodolfo have been disturbed as they rush out of her room Eddie’s first reaction is irrational as he tells the to
“Pack it up. Go ahead. Get your stuff and get outta here.”
Eddie orders Rodolfo to leave even though he is innocent of any wrongdoing. This is only out of quick response to cover up his mistake. This part of the scene out brings and distinguishes the whole outline of the play. It is at this when all the truth and factuality defines out of Eddie. He now expresses himself as the character the audience have gathered. Demonstrating the actual consanguinity of Eddie’s emotions to Catherine. Knowing that Eddie is blameworthy, Catherine trembling with fright says “It think I have to get out of here Eddie” She is obviously scared and confused with the change of character and knows that she is in danger. Supporting her objective in leaving but she still feels she is letting down Eddie “(she sees the tears in his eyes)” At this she feels pity on her uncle and feels guilty. Eddie feels that his relationship with Catherine has been segregated and so to stop her from leaving in a rapid shocking of kissing her. As Rodolfo interferes Eddie ends up kissing Rodolfo also. This is a sign in which Eddie tries to delineate that there is no difference between kissing a woman and Rodolfo which in addition reveals him as feminine. And at this Catherine uses physical force to stop her leaving, this indicates she is angry that she must stop him. In this scene it shows of the relationship between Eddie and Catherine being damaged because of the newfound feud.
Eddie does realise he has lost Catherine sexually to Rodolfo and he tries his best to reclaim her. As he witnesses Catherine and Rodolfo running out of the room it is at then he makes an immediate decision. First response he makes is the fact that his niece has lost her virginity to Rodolfo, and at this he realises that he has lost Catherine sexually to Rodolfo. To reclaim his niece he tells Rodolfo to get out.
In an early scene Eddie evidently says
“I mean he looked so sweet there, like an angel- you could kiss him he was so sweet!”
this relates and concludes to Eddie’s kiss scene with Rodolfo. This brings out Eddie’s feminine side and shown his hidden true feelings to Rodolfo. I do not think Eddie’s actions were a way to insult him but were mixed reasons for his reactions. Personally his actions were to prove his point that Rodolfo was gay. But instead of showing this he includes himself in proving that he too is gay. This changes the view of character of Eddie. As it can somehow define the way Eddie does not want Catherine to be with Rodolfo. Meaning that he a has finally shown his true emotions towards Catherine’s future husband.
As the tension builds up Eddie knows he has damaged the relationship with his niece, evidence that Eddie was very troubled as Alfieri describes “his eyes were like tunnels” using a simile on the angered look on his face. He tells Alfieri that “the guy ain’t right.” I think the reason why he goes against his society and informs because he is a victim of his emotions. As all the emotions mixing, he experiences being pressured into going against his family. This also links onto the first Greek tragedy on the Italian boy who turned against his parents for betraying them. In the beginning of the play it gives us a clue what Eddie is going to do in advance. Personally I think Eddie is a victim of his emotions as it all happens quickly and he is trapped between the pressures of society
