A View from the Bridge Essay Example

A View from the Bridge Essay Example A View from the Bridge Paper A View from the Bridge Paper A View from the Bridge contains many references to manliness, aggression and hostility which link together and intertwine to add another dimension to the plot. The feelings themselves, and indeed their roots are not always easy to see as they are often hidden in the complexity of the subplot. It is the combination of these three feelings which make A View from the Bridge what it is, without them, it would be very dry, and a lot of the events would not have taken place. The entire play is in fact, based around these feelings, and Eddies very particular definition of manliness, brings the other two into the plot whenever Rodolpho fails to meet this criteria. Thus, we are led to the realisation of the link between the three and the importance of these feelings as Marco turns on Eddie toward the end of the play due to his hostility and aggression toward Rodolpho. A chief cause of the aforementioned feelings throughout the play is indeed Eddies unstable character. Eddie is a man who vents his anger on others, in some ways, he feels deprived of love, his relationship with Beatrice, for example, is not a good one and Eddie constantly laments over the relationship between his niece, Catherine and her lover, Rodolpho. Before Rodolpho came to stay with them, Eddie and Catherine enjoyed a very close relationship, this is made apparent through the stage directions, which frequently let us in on the way that they acted together, physically. Catherine, taking his arm, and walking him to the armchair. Both of these instances, portray a rather touchy sense between the both of them. It can also be argued that Eddie likes Catherine as more than a niece, this is hinted at, but never confirmed until later on when his feelings are more developed and apparent. The feelings of manliness, hostility and aggression draw root from this relationship and thus we can see their importance to the plot as a whole. Originally the play was written in verse and some of this can still be seen in Alfieris monologues. Though now this follows the structure of a Greek tragedy. A Greek tragedy means the downfall of a great person gained by one particular aspect of their own personality which makes their doom inevitable. Most tragic heroes have one particular fault in their personality, in this case though it is too much love for another/wrong person. The first of my two sections takes place just after the first Eddie and Alfieri conversation. Within that conversation Eddie shows is anxiety about Catherine being taken away by Rodolfo, a young illegal immigrant from Italy who is staying at Eddies house. This is due to them going out on the town just before the conversation happens, and Eddie finds out that Catherine likes Rodolfo after questioning her. At the start of the section Catherine is acting as if she is trying to impress Eddie by boasting about where they have gone, they went to Africa once. On a fishing boat. (Eddie glances at her.) Its true Eddie. Though when Eddie replies she quickly dismisses her sly remark of not going anywhere. This could be seen as Eddie not approving of her trying to convince him about Rodolfo by bragging to him. Then throughout they talk about their fishing times, with Beatrice and Catherine trying to act impressed by the places theyve been and seen. The way Beatrice acts, like about the sardines for example show how poor and uncultured the area and that time were. The first bit of noticeable tension is shown when Eddie says he heard the oranges were painted orange, as they grew green, and Marco answers No, in Italy the oranges are orange this answer seems to have a personal feel to it, as he says Italys oranges are orange not oranges on a basis. Then as Rodolfo points out lemons are green, Eddie fires back resenting he ever said it, though he acts very sharply as he has an outburst at the fact Rodolfo said lemons were green. This shows that when Rodolfo tries to point out a fact and mistake Eddie, Eddie then takes Rodolfos comment seriously and almost personally as it is as if hes stupid, though he never reacted to Marcos snide comment about the oranges being orange. This shows that Eddie respects Marco as he hasnt done anything wrong in his eyes while Rodolfo, hence the reaction. Again after Marco and Beatrice talk about Marcos wife in Italy, Eddie makes a snide remark about Marcos wife having a few extra kids while Marco is away. Marco then says it isnt so free in their town. Then Eddie replies saying that it aint that free here either then directly comparing it to Catherines and Rodolfos night out. Even though Rodolfo says he always has respect, Eddie says that they would never drag a girl off without permission in their town, and says to Marco, expecting support, though Marco answers cautiously with a yes. In the scene This first part of Eddies rant shows how easily Eddie turns on Rodolfo and how he needs permission to take Catherine out. this is like peripeteia where in a greek tragedy which means, the moment of change. When he is looking for support of Marco, it is as if when Marco answers something ticks in his head that Eddie didnt approve of a very normal thing. Then as Eddie says that Catherine has never been out that late, Beatrice does all she can and answers back to Eddie, who hides his infuriating anger and takes a personal note saying that Rodolfo could be to blame if he goes out all the time and they get found open. This also has a personal affect and I think that Marco catches onto, as he says I beg your pardon, Eddie this shows that he is shocked to hear what he has just said. The rant dies down as Catherine asks Rodolfo to dance, then after a little talk between Marco and Beatrice about the boats, Marco says that Rodolfo is a very good cook. Eddie quickly picks up on this and says sarcastically that its wonderful that he can sing, cook and that he could make dresses, this implies that Eddie gives perception that Rodolfo has a camp side to him. After having another rant, trying to hint but not directly saying that Rodolfo is homosexual, by taking about singing, cooking and making dresses for a living, which in them days was classed as a feminine thing. Then all of a sudden he asks Marco if he wants to go to see a boxing match, and if hes ever seen a real fight, this makes Marco very uneasy, Eddie then asks if hes ever fought before then asks Rodolfo if he has, who also says no. Unexpectedly he asks is Rodolfo wants a spar, this causes a lot of tension as the group dont want it to escalate to something big, they spar and after a few laughs and when Catherine walks in Eddie asks if he can hit him, this is after Rodolfo has had a few shots at Eddie. Then Eddie lands a right after a feint which makes Rodolfo mildly stagger. This makes Marco rise in caution, this is when I think Marco catches on to the fact Eddie meant to hurt him, and that Eddie has a problem with his brother. Eddie rubs his fist which is a sign that he is happy with what he did to Rodolfo, so it seems he chose boxing as a way to get a cheap shot and maybe a warning towards Rodolfo. This is not the same with Rodolfo who after saying he is fine, looks at Eddie with a gl eam and a smile which shows that he is oblivious to Eddies hatred. Then after Rodolfo got back up and started dancing also at the end of the section. This shows a high contrast to the boxing spar that happened moments ago which changes from hatred to love and affection. Marco places a chair in front of Eddie, then as Eddie cannot lift it in one hand, Marco does standing face to face with Eddie with it above his head, like a weapon over Eddies head, this shows that Macro is suggesting that if you mess with my brother you mess with me, therefore the tension quickly changes from Eddie at Rodolfo, to Marco at Eddie. The stage direction shows this very clearly, Marco is face to face with Eddie, a strained tension gripping his eyes and jaw, his neck stiff, the chair raised like a weapon over Eddies head and he transforms what might appear like a glare of warning into of triumph and Eddies grin vanishes as he absorbs his look. The second section takes place after a heated argument between Eddie, Catherine and Rodolfo. Eddie comes in drunkand as he sees Catherine exit the bedroom gives the deception that the had sexual intercourse, or maybe that Catherine wanted Eddie to think that to make him angry or see how he reacted. He reacts horribly to the pair saying that Rodolfo is selfish and tries to make out he is wrong for using Catherine just to become legal even though he actually cares for her. Then he has another heated conversation with Alfieri trying to convince him about Rodolfo, which shows even he is uncertain or desperate, and when he shows that he might consider ringing the bureau, Alfieri tells him the consequences. The tension in the house is already at a high but with what Eddie is about to do rips the family apart. The scene starts with Eddie in a telephone box which is alone in the dark with nothing around it, this shows that maybe this will be like Eddies future. He rings the immigration bureau and gives all the information except his name. After when he gets home he finds out Beatrice has moved Marco and Rodolfo upstairs, this is probably due to the argument between Rodolfo, Catherine and Eddie. Tensions rise when this happens as Eddie wants his respect even after theyve been moved out. Then as you go through you find out that he cant get an erection and that is what he means by pride, though Eddie might also feel that he isnt important anymore as Catherine has found someone else to care for her. The tension grows as Eddie and Beatrice have a heated argument with Beatrice finally saying that Catherine is going to get married to Rodolfo that Saturday, this makes Eddie infuriated at the fact that she has not listened to him and he does all he can to try and persuade her even by saying she can go out, but that doesnt work. Eddie then soon realises they are staying with other boarders and then worries as he may get the taken in as well, so he says what if they are monitored and get Marco and Rodolfo taken away as well, this shows that Eddie is willing to lie to save himself if something goes wrong. The tension rises as Eddie tries to get Catherine to move them because of this but it is too late as there is a knock on the door. The pinnacle of tension occurs, with Catherine in horror as she realises what Eddie has done, she then shrieks and runs to get Marco and Eddie. With the immigration officers, searching round and Eddie trying to act innocent, but Beatrice is distraught at what hes done. The offices eventually find them with Beatrice and Catherine trying to get the offices to let them go, but it doesnt work. Then as they get to the doorway Marco breaks free and face to face with Eddie, spits in his face. The tension grows to an all time high; Eddie is furious with what Marco is done and tries to act all innocent. Though as they get to the car in the street Marco frees himself again and shouts Pointing at Eddie that one! I accuse that one! Then as he is taken off he shouts and points at Eddie again, That one! He killed my children! That one stole the food from my children! M arco is gone. The tension increases as Eddie is left with the whole crown turned to him. All his friends are disgusted with him, and Eddie is left to say that hell kill Marco if he doesnt take what he said back, again in denial that he was wrong to do what he did. This part of the play seems to happen very quickly and gives the atmosphere of panic towards it. Overall Arthur Miller creates an atmosphere based on the stage actions and what is said, mainly by Eddie, and how certain people react to it. Also the way people talk in the play makes the dramatic suspense greater as it gives you a feel of a real life reaction.