In What way does Miller create Tension to suggest a Tragic end?

Authors Avatar

In What way does Miller create Tension to suggest a Tragic end?

Miller clearly uses different aspects of his play "A View from the Bridge" to create dramatic tension. Tension is an emotion escalating in slow motion in this case leading to a tragic end.
Miller uses the climax of Act one to create tension for the audience
through the acting and the situation the characters are in, and to
present the key themes of the play to the audience. Firstly, he uses
dramatic irony to give the audience an insight into how the story is
going to end, which creates frustration and tension for them, this relates into the theme of a Greek tragedy where there is a appointed conclusion. He uses the fact that in the 1950’s, manliness and being the ‘man of the house’ was a huge part of family life. He combines this with Eddie’s desire to control and his obsession with authority, to put the audience on a knife-edge, as to when one of the characters will lose control leading to a tragic end.

‘A View from the Bridge’ ends in the protagonist’s death as said in a ‘Greek Tragedy.’ Greek Tragedy is a drama featuring a character whose fate is decided by their main flaw.

Eddie Carbone’s major flaw is jealousy; this is shown, through out the play before and after the arrival of Marco and Rodolfo (Beatrice’s cousins.) Near the beginning there is a small argument related to Catherine receiving a job. He is extremely overprotective of Catherine, whom he has brought up as if she were his own daughter. He paid for her typing lessons and had ambitions for her to rise to a different class. He is proud of her looks, yet concerned that she will attract the attention of men and is concerned about her new job. He finds it hard to admit that she has become a woman thinking that she “would never grow up”. 

Eddie’s obsessive nature for Catherine is shown in many points of the play, especially in regards to Rodolfo. As his feelings for Catherine become more obsessive, he does everything he can to prevent Rodolfo from marrying her. He tries to undermine Rodolfo. For example, he mocks Rodolfo's skills at cooking, singing and sewing, claims he is homosexual and tells Catherine that he only wants her to gain US citizenship. He also tries to get the law involved and is amazed when Alfieri says that nothing can be done. He then tries violence: he 'teaches' Rodolfo to box as an excuse to hit him. After failing in many attempts he calls the Immigration in the desperate need to stop their wedding, this shows his love for Catherine and that he is prepared to break his code of honour for her.

Join now!

A Greek Tragedy also contains a chorus. In the play this part is played by Alfieri, throughout the play he watches over everything and drops hints to show that the play may end tragically.  Miller uses him as an omniscient narrator. This means that he directly interacts with the audience dropping clues of Eddie’s tragic fate.

Alfieri’s quotes on many occasions hint a tragic ending “Powerless as I, having to watch it run it’s bloody course.” This shows how helpless Alfieri was, and how much he tries to tell Eddie to change and that his emotions are ...

This is a preview of the whole essay