view from the bridge
How Does Miller present masculinity in a view from the bridge? Masculinity is an evident theme that runs through the play and is made very obvious through the speech and actions of the characters. The main leading males are Eddy, Marco and Rudolph, [Alfieri could also be considered as a main male role] each playing different roles and different types of men. Arthur Miller does subvert from the theme of masculinity and highlights the ever important theme of femininity throughout, how it compares and fits side long to masculinity too. The social and historical background of a view from the bridge is represented from Italy in the times of the 1950s. Italy is certainly associated in dramas for the 'Mafia', therefore the men are expected to be manly, strong but family orientated due to the fiery passion in the Italian culture. The area of Red Hook in Brooklyn is situated near to the dock which also gives the idea that all men would be strong from lifting on the docks. The social and historical background to the story makes it that more alive, is that it is known that Miller, [who in fact is polish], use to work in the Brooklyn Naval yard where he befriended Italians who told him stories about men coming over to work illegally and how they were betrayed. In the story the characters background affects their views and behaviour, as well as the theme of the play. All these
View from the Bridge Essay
View from the Bridge Essay By Laura Bennett 'Explain Eddie's view of manliness' In this essay I am going to explain Eddie's view of manliness in the play 'View from the Bridge' which is about two men who migrate illegally from Italy to America and they go to live with Eddie, the main character and his family. Eddie is a husky, slightly overweight longshoreman in his forty's. Eddie is a very proud man. He likes his respect and he forces himself on people to make a good name for himself, so he's a very powerful man. "Now don't aggravate me, Katie." And "Get her in here, will you!" He's overly protective towards his niece Catherine. Her mother died and he promised Catherine's mother he would look after her "I promised your mother on her deathbed. I'm responsible for you." He's a father figure to Catherine but he is so protective and because of his manly behaviour he criticises Catherine by saying "you're walkin' wavy" and criticising the clothes she wears "I think it's too short." Eddie is hostile towards Rodolpho because Rodolpho and Catherine start to like each other and Eddie is jealous so he starts to pick out the qualities that he considers feminine, like cooking and cleaning and telling him he should work in a place more suited for him. "If I could sing, if I could make dresses, I wouldn't be on the water front. I would be someplace else. I would be like in a dress
