Eddie Carbone in A View From the Bridge

Eddie Carbone in A View From the Bridge During the final scene preceding the end of act 1, Arthur Miller

collects the major characters and in particular, he builds up and

develops Eddie Carbone's character. I shall now analyse this scene,

paying close attention to Miller's use of dramatic techniques.

Eddie starts off reading a newspaper, hence demonstrating Eddie's

awareness of the outside world. In contrast, Catherine and Rodolfo

read a magazine together, which may establish Rodolfo's somewhat

feminine nature; by Rodolfo and Catherine reading together it provides

a topic for discussion between the two, which could also prove their

social nature. Even so, Eddie uses his newspaper as a screen against

the other characters. Eddie conveys a 'DO NOT DISTURB' barrier between

him and the other characters, accordingly Beatrice goes around Eddie

to give him his coffee, but passes it immediately to Catherine and

Rodolfo who find magazine reading more open.

On stage, I would advise Eddie to initially grasp a tabloid newspaper,

such as the "Saturday Evening Post". This very American weekly paper

would also confirm Eddie's aspiration to become an American. However,

Eddie would immediately return the tabloid and pick up a Broadsheet,

such as the "New York Times", which includes very complex language.

The sudden change of newspaper would signal to the on looking audience

that something has motivated him to select the larger broadsheet. With

this larger newspaper Eddie would block himself off from the other

characters and threaten or ...

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audience recognizes his presence, without him having to do anything.

Marco has cleverly kept quiet throughout the scene unless asked a

question, as he may be embarrassed to display his weak language

skills. But when Eddie cracks a punch at Rodolfo, Marco suddenly gets

involved. Marco challenges Eddie by inviting him to raise a chair from

its leg. Eddie has underestimated his opponent and his false sense of

confidence about his own strength has led Marco to win the test of

strength. Clearly Marco knows his adversary's well and is smart enough

to avoid talking, but he prevails in a physical battle. You may think

of the chair struggle as a battle for primate dominance, whereby both

challengers are fighting to become Alpha male. Nonetheless, in both

contests Eddie's authority is undermined and in his own living room.