In "A View from the Bridge" how does Arthur Miller build the dramatic tension to a climax at the end of Act 1?

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Harkiran Bansal

In “A View from the Bridge” how does Arthur Miller build the dramatic tension to a climax at the end of Act 1?

“A View from the Bridge” is a play written in 1995 by Arthur Miller set in Brooklyn. During the 1950's Italy was a very poor country so there were many people immigrating to the U.S.A. Over a million Sicilians had already moved to the U.S.A. and there were more moving over. Many Sicilians dreamed of a better life in America with a well paid job and enough money to support their family.

This play is based on a man named Eddie who lives with his wife Beatrice and niece Catherine who he has cared for since she was a child. Beatrice’s cousins, 2 Italian immigrants come to stay with them. The tensions arise when one of the cousins, Radolpho, and Catherine fall in love and Eddie realises his true feelings for Catherine, which has devastating consequences and eventually leads to Eddie’s tragic death.

Throughout Act 1, Miller builds up tension, which eventually leads to the death of Eddie. Much of this tension arises from conflict between characters. One of the first moments where we see tension building up is when Catherine is telling Eddie how Marco and Rodolpho have been to Africa. She says “They went to Africa. On a fishing boat. (Eddie glances at her) It’s true Eddie.” The stage direction shows Eddies is interested in what they are talking about as he glances at her. By Catherine saying “it’s true Eddie” it gives the idea that she thinks he doesn’t believe her, but he then says “I didn’t say nothin’”.  A While later they begin to talk about fishing and sardines. Eddie says “Sure (laughing) How you gonna catch sardines on a hook?” The stage directions show us that Eddie starts to laugh, suggesting that he is making fun of what they are saying, he is being ironic and sarcastic.

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Following this, they have a discussion about the colour of fruit in Italy. Eddie says (resenting his instructions) “I know lemons are green, for Christ sake, you see them in the store they’re green sometimes. I said oranges they paint, I didn’t say nothin’ about lemons.” The stage direction shows the audience he is very annoyed and irritated. Eddie feels he is the male authority in the house and he hates being told he is wrong. He thinks whatever he says is right no matter what and does not like people disagreeing with him. Beatrice senses some tension so ...

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