A View From the Bridge - Arthur Miller

A View From the Bridge

'He's like a weird'. This opinion of Rodolfo expressed by Eddie

encapsulates the main theme of the 20th century play, 'A View From the

Bridge', by Arthur Miller. Rodolfo is subject to Eddie's hostile

feelings towards him, emotions like abhorrence, resentment, jealousy

and aggression. Eddie's belief in manliness and masochistic behaviour

is one explanation why he detests Rodolfo with such vehemence. To

Eddie Carbone, Rodolfo is the exact opposite of his ideals. He has

effeminate attributes; he can sing, dance, and make dresses. These all

seem to anger Eddie but ridiculously, it seems that Rodolfo's blond

hair seems to irritate Eddie especially; he seems to think that it

proves that Rodolfo 'ain't right', and is therefore a homosexual. All

these characteristics that Rodolfo possesses are alien to Eddie, who

has been brought up uneducated. He believes in the idea that men

should be strong, masculine, and the 'bread-winners' of a household.

Although Rodolfo does not conform to this description, his older

brother, Marco, does. In the very last scene of Act 1, Marco exposes

his superior strength by questioning Eddie; 'Can you lift this chair?'

Eddie can't; 'Gee, that's hard'. Marco then lifts the chair above his

head with 'a smile of triumph'. This instils wariness into Eddie,

making him feel uncomfortable in realising that he is no longer the

most powerful man in the house. If he aggravates Rodolfo, Marco, as

his older brother, will defend him with whatever means he can. This is

one of the reasons that cause tension in the Carbone household, but

mainly it is the chemistry between Catherine and Rodolfo that gives

rise to strain.

As soon as Beatrice's cousins enter the house, the att...

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This play was first written in verse in 1955, as one act. It was

revised by Miller and developed into a two-act play; Miller was

discontented with the unemotional way that the American cast portrayed

the play, so the reviewed version was designed for a London audience.

It emulated a Greek tragedy; based upon a main male character who's

destiny causes him to create his own downfall; which Eddie did by

dictating to people he had no right to control and being stubborn and

narrow-minded. So, the ideas of manliness, hostility and aggression in

'A View From the Bridge' are suggested to be weaknesses, character

flaws, and the lesson is to compromise; 'we settle for half and I

like it better'. Miller is insinuating that aiming towards an

unachievable dream will eventually cause you anguish, and that perhaps

it is better to lead a happier, if less ambitious, life.