A View From A Bridge Essay Example

tends to treat those with a lower status accordingly.

Despite the awkwardness, Catherine decides to dance with Rodolpho. This only fuels Eddie's anger and jealousy towards Rodolpho as he does not want anyone touching Catherine, whom he has inappropriate feelings for. Eddie's actions only escalate the tension between them. To make Rodolpho feel out of place, Eddie tries to spread the impression that he is homosexual. This makes everyone uncomfortable, especially when Eddie says, "It's wonderful, he sings, he cooks he could make dresses." Eddie sees these behaviors as indicators of a gay man.

In the stage directions, Miller highlights the discomfort of the characters and Eddie's anger. All characters are doing something, as shown in the stage direction, [Catherine and Rodolpho continue dancing], indicating they are not at ease. Additionally, Miller portrays Eddie as more enraged and anxious than other characters when he describes how Eddie unconsciously twists the newspaper into a tight roll until it suddenly tears in two. This act illustrates Eddie's extreme jealousy and tension towards Rodolpho and could symbolize his desire to harm him.

Eddie challenges Rodolpho in a way that is perceived as manly and physical. By questioning Rodolpho's sexuality, Eddie attempts to establish his own masculinity while proving that Rodolpho is gay. One of the ways he goes about doing this is by asking if Rodolpho has any experience with boxing. When Rodolpho responds in the negative, Eddie feels superior to him and takes advantage of this by demonstrating his own prowess and skill in boxing. Rather than belittling Rodolpho outright, Eddie presents his actions as help in order to maintain his authority over him.

"Come on! Again for the jaw right

there very good!" Eddie encourages Rodolpho as they practice blocking punches. However, Eddie suddenly announces that he will throw punches and Rodolpho must block them. This worries Catherine, who asks with alarm what they are doing. Eddie then intentionally punches Rodolpho in the jaw, using a feint with his left hand before striking with his right, causing Rodolpho to stagger slightly.

As Marco rises, Eddie pushes him back and Catherine rushes towards Rodolpho, calling out "Eddie". Eddie behaves as though he has only lightly hit him and asks, "Did I hurt you, kid?" Although shocked, Rodolpho replies with a smile, saying "No, no he didn't hurt me" with a gleam in his eyes. This unexpected response intensifies the tension between the characters, as Marco becomes angrier and refuses to let it go.

The audience is aware of Eddie's negative feelings towards Rodolpho and suspects that he purposely provoked him. The tension between them is palpable when Eddie challenges Rodolpho to a fight, particularly when he begins throwing punches. The highest point of intensity is reached when Eddie actually lands a punch on Rodolpho. At this point, Marco is already anticipating Eddie's violent behavior and becomes furious. Miller emphasizes Marco's loyalty to his family, even if they are in the wrong.

Marco is frustrated that Rodolpho is not at fault, but knows that he needs to make a point to help Eddie learn. To do so, he challenges Eddie to lift a chair. This serious moment creates intense tension as Eddie struggles to complete the task.

After Eddie fails to lift the chair, he makes an excuse about its angle, but Marco shows his strength by successfully lifting it. Marco's

physical struggle is evident in his facial expression and stiff neck as their eyes meet. Eddie's smile disappears, as he realizes Marco's unspoken warning not to provoke him or Rodolpho.

The tension intensifies as Eddie realizes that Rodolpho is not alone and that Marco is aware of his intentions. This power dynamic shifts from Eddie to Marco, nullifying Eddie's attempt to assert his strength. Miller ends the act on this cliffhanger, leaving the audience wondering what will happen next. The buildup of tension throughout the first act has the audience eager to see how this conflict will be resolved, which has been present ever since Marco and Rodolpho arrived from Italy.

As Act 2 begins, tension mounts and reaches its climax when Marco challenges Eddie. Despite being drunk, Eddie reveals his true feelings for Catherine and emphasizes his love for her. However, upon discovering that Rodolpho and Catherine have slept together, Eddie's rage intensifies. While Eddie's inappropriate feelings for Catherine are already known to us as the audience, we await to see how the characters react and what unfolds next. In a moment when Eddie kisses Catherine on the lips, Rodolpho intervenes and pulls her away, expressing disapproval with the statement, "Don't! stop that have some respect for her!" This incident further highlights Eddie's questionable intentions towards Catherine in the eyes of the characters.

Eddie attempts to demonstrate to Catherine that Rodolpho is homosexual by kissing him, causing her to question his sexuality. To intensify the conflict, Eddie, who is intoxicated, approaches Alfeiri and informs immigration that Rodolpho and Marco have entered the country unlawfully. "I wish to report an incident involving illegal immigrants. Two of them."

Eddie reveals his knowledge of the location of 441 Saxon Street in Brooklyn, and expresses his concern about the risks of reporting Marco and Rodolpho's immigration status. Furthermore, he places himself in harm's way by making the drunken telephone call. When he discovers that Catherine plans to marry Rodolpho, Eddie feigns concern for the couple's well-being. By pretending to support them, Eddie creates the impression that he is not involved with the immigration officials, though Marco suspects otherwise. This serves as an attempt by Miller to highlight Eddie's deceptive behavior.

There is a growing tension between Marco and Eddie, with Marco becoming suspicious of Eddie's actions. In Act One, Marco displays his strength and refuses to be overshadowed by Eddie despite the latter's age. This elevates Marco's status, and when he retrieves a chair, Eddie senses Marco's suspicion. Act Two closes with Marco standing over a bowed and fallen Eddie, further emphasizing Marco's dominance.

At this point, Marco has more power than Eddie. Despite being only slightly higher in status than Eddie at the end of act one, Marco can still exert his dominance over him. Although Marco doesn't directly speak to Eddie, he communicates through eye contact, making Eddie aware that he is being watched and monitored. This intensifies the tension between them, as Eddie still has the ability to resist, despite the warning from Marco.

As a result of the unknown outcome, the audience becomes tense. But in Act Two's conclusion, Eddie is left unable to defend himself following a stabbing, rendering him powerless against Marco's increased strength. With this newfound power, Marco speaks to Eddie disrespectfully and with malice.

"Animal! Bow down to me,"

spoke Marco, using a tone he had never used with Eddie before. Eddie was taken aback but remained silent, fully aware of Marco's capabilities. Miller builds up the dramatic tension gradually, leading up to Eddie's unexpected demise.

Despite promising not to kill Eddie, the intensity of his hatred ultimately overcomes and consumes him. The build-up of tension reaches a dramatic climax, leaving the audience entertained and captivated. The play concludes on a successful note, with Eddie facing the consequences of his wrongdoings as a tragic hero. Thus, the play has a tragic element but ultimately ends in a satisfying manner.

Eddie, a tragic hero in the community, had an inappropriate attraction to his niece Catherine, which he was unaware of. His fatal flaw caused him to act impulsively and ultimately bring about his own demise. Various writers employ different techniques to create tension at specific points throughout their plays.

Miller utilized various techniques in his play, including dimming the lights, portraying character behavior and incorporating set bits where character thoughts are expressed. However, his primary technique involved the character of Alfeiri, who narrates Eddie's thoughts and provides insight into why he thinks and behaves the way he does. Alfeiri was a trusted confidant of Eddie's, allowing him to share things he couldn't tell anyone else in the play. I was captivated by Miller's play and drawn in by the rising tension.

Initially, I was taken aback by the uncle's affection for Catherine and Eddie's strictness towards her despite her being 17. However, I found it intriguing that Marco, who appeared mature and composed, was the one to fatally assault Eddie due to his uncontrollable rage.

The conclusion was satisfying as Eddie received his just punishment while Beatrice remained devoted to him despite his neglect, and his death in her embrace was impactful.