A View from the bridge

• Intro

  "A view from the bridge" is a modern tragedy play by American playwriter, Arthur Miller, written in 1955 and is set in the 1950s, New York, Italian american neighbourhood near Brooklyn Bridge. Where E is presented as (insert overall idea) and explores themes of jealousy, xenophobia and social tension.
• conclusion


  Return to the question and give your overall evaluation and main reasons why.
• E: "I could tell you things about Louis which you wouldn't wave to him no more."
• E: "I just don't want you being pushed around is all, you got too big a heart. What're you so touchy?"
• B: "I'm afraid that if it doesn't turn out good, you'll be mad at me."
• E: "I broke my back payin' her stenography lessons so she could go out and meet a better class of people"
• Eddie at the beginning of play

  He's noble, generous, loyal, showing signs of obsessive behaviour - over-protectiveness of C.

  E: "You'll never get nowhere unless you finish school. You can't take no job."

  • Average man; well-liked, seems like ordinary man, but possible issues established early.
• Shifts - think of key moments in his downfall

  Frustrated by M + R, forces ideas onto C - manipulative.

  E: "That's what's going on here" - says R is using C.

  E: "He's stealing from me!"
• E at the end

  Prideful - wont accept apology, Egotistical, stubborn.

  (reaches for E's hand, but E snaps it away)
• Why is E is an admirable (heroic) character at the start:

  • Generous in looking after M and R when they are there illegally.
  • Protective of C and wants a better life for her.
  • Reassuring of B when she panics
  • Works hard to provide for the family financially.
  • Concerned about R exploiting C for a green card/passport (spending money on himself).
• B: "you're an angel! God'll bless you. (He's gratefully smiling) - religious imagery
• L: "Believe me E, you got a lotta credit comin' to you."
• E: "I want you to be with different kind of people. I want you to be in a nice office." - repetition.
• E: "I just don't want you bein' pushed around, that's all. you got too big a heart. (He touches her hand)"
• A: "He was a good a man as he had to be in a life that was hard and even." - Chorus (maintains sympathy for E).
• E: "Katie, he's only bowin' to his passport." - metaphor.
• Context - 1955

  • Masculine
  • protective of his family
  • breadwinner - works hard, long hours to provide for family
  • supports extended family
  • Longshoreman - heroism in his poverty
  • wants the american dream for C
  • E is homophobic - being gay was illegal
  • men were the head of the household
• 1955 audience would sympathise with E:

  • He turns to B at the end rather than C - "My B!"
  • Happy to allow B's cousins to stay at the apartment though they are illegal.
  • loving and protective of C (raised her like a daughter).
  • Works everyday to provide for the family.
  • Reassuring to B, kind to her at the start.
  • He's right to be angry about R's actions - keeping C out late at night without permissions, sleeping with C - harms her reputation.
  • Many people would take advantage of Americans to get a green card.
• E: "Beatrice, all i'm worried about is you got such a heart"
• E: "Hey,hey take it easy"
• B: "When am i gonna be a wife again Eddie?"
• E: “I want my respect”
• E: “I know that neighbourhood… I don’t like it”
• M: “he killed my children“
• C: “How can you listen to him? This rat!” - person E loves the most calls him a rat, which is the worst thing you can be.
• E: “He sings, he cooks, he could make dresses.“
• C: “who the hell do you think you are?”
• E: “You’re walking wavy”
• L: “you’ve got a lot of credit coming to you”
• L fed up: “E for Christ’s sake.” - no respect.
• B to E: “ you want something and you can never have her” - hamartia
• a view from the bridge

  • play
  • acts
  • audience
  • its staged
  • stage directions
  • mostly dialogue
• Act 1 - part 1

  • Alfieri is in his office and he's introducing the story.
  • E, C, and B are introduced where E is shown as protective for telling C off for being near boys and doesn't want her to get a job.
  • M and R are arriving later that night as illegal immigrants from Italy and are grateful for the chance to earn money and pursue the american dream.
  • M wants to send money home to support his family while R wants to stay in the country for as long as possible.
  • R and C gets to know each other and dates.
  • E is jealous and tells C that R only wants her citizenship, but she ignores this.
• Act 1 - part 2

  • B talks to C about becoming a more independent woman.
  • now everyone kinda against E, which fuels his anger and desperation
  • E visits A and asks if he can get rid of R by law
  • A says he can't and must let go of C.
  • Then there's a pretend boxing match in the living room where the girls are left to stop.
• Act 2

  • R and C are home alone and in the bedroom, E arrives home drunk and kisses C and pins R to the floor and also kisses him.
  • E visits Alf, who tells him to let C go.
  • E calls immigrations and reports M and R
  • M and R gets arrested and M spits in E's face
  • Alf bails them and arranges a marriage for C and R
  • on the wedding day, M goes to the house for revenge and E tries to stab M but M stabs E and dies in B's arms.