A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

• INTRODUCTION:

  • "A View from the Bridge"
  • Arthur Miller
  • main character Eddie Carbone, Italian-American longshoreman, 1950s, infatuation for niece, eventual downfall
  • techniques- setting, theme, language, stage directions, key scene
  • RTQ leads to eventual betrayal, highlighted through key scene, breaks Omerta, end of Act 2, reporting family to Immigration Bureau
• MAIN BODY ONE (PART ONE):

  • RTQ, strong emotion evident in beginning
  • family orientates setting, jealous of C attention
  • "Katie you are walkin' wavy! I don't like the looks they're givin' you... heads are turnin' like windmills."
  • E protective nature, characterised as caring + loving, "walkin' wavy!" suggests C as seductive, emphasises main theme of jealousy, symbolism of father like concern, controlling nature
  • builds tension due to RTQ, foreshadowing future events
• MAIN BODY ONE (PART TWO):

  • E reluctantly accepts C new job, however audience sees his internal struggle
  • "[Eddie breaks into a smile, but it almost seems that tears will form in his eyes.]"
  • stage directions, emotional + conflicted character, foreshadows intense jealousy, making him Greek Tragic Hero, ultimate betrayal + downfall, igniting plot foreward
• MAIN BODY TWO (PART ONE):

  • Secondly, events leading to key scene, RTQ, E is jealous over the attention C gives to R, foreshadowing future events
  • E emerges as troubled, desperate to end growing relationship, E arrives home drunk, C + R leave bedroom, erupts with rage
  • "[Eddie sees him + his arm jerks slightly in shock]"
  • stage directions + word choice, anger in involuntary action, catalyst for following events, characterise E as ticking time bomb, foreshadowing key incident due to RTQ
• MAIN BODY TWO (PART TWO):

  • E character in crisis after learning C + R next level relationship, irrationally reports M + R, causing plays turning point
  • "I want to report something. Illegal immigrants. Two of them."
  • as a member of a close community, key incident highlights conflict in E values, short sentence emphasises seriousness + blunt tone, desperate to get rid of M + R, key scene causes E downfall, RTQ, ultimate betrayal breaking Omerta, ironic as backshadowed previously, E spoke angrily about Vinny Bolzano, broke Omerta, lead to isolation from community
• MAIN BODY THREE (PART ONE):

  • Finally, end of play, RTQ, E out of control, committed ultimate betrayal
  • E publicly humiliated by M spitting in his face
  • "[Marco spits into Eddie's face]"
  • stage directions conveys M outrage, unable to understand ultimate betrayal, "spits" shows lack of respect, key incident creates growing conflict between M + E, downfall of E, breaking Omerta + main theme of respect, M characterisation drives plot to an end
• MAIN BODY THREE (PART TWO):

  • Furthermore, direct result of jealousy in key scene, E ends play tragically being isolated + dies at his own ultimate betrayal + downfall
  • "Eddie lunges with the knife. Marco grabs his arm, turning it inward and pressing it home."
  • final fit of rage, E actions backfire, most powerful part of play: E dies, tense + climactic scene creates brilliant stage picture, E falls before M, sense of hierarchy, backshadowed previously, conflict + jealousy causes ultimate downfall, making him Greek Tragic Hero