A View From The Bridge Helps Us Understand The Tragedy

How the Structure of A View From The Bridge Helps us Understand the Tragedy of Eddie Carbone

Arthur Miller in recent years has become one of the world's most important and influential playwrights. The plays he produces give a deep understanding of how the characters think. Especially when they find themselves in awkward or bad situations, such as, misplaced love.

The play, which this essay is going to investigate, is 'A View From The Bridge'. This is one of many which Miller has written. However it is very different. Miller had set himself a task, to write a Modern Greek tragedy. Greek tragedies feature around a hero who has a fatal flaw, which leads to his or her death.

Throughout 'A View From

He was then disowned from the community. This states the harsh reactions that the community has against someone who 'Breaks the code'. The result is always violence. Eddie tells this 'tragic story' because the immigrants are on their way.

There is a clear indication of Eddie's sexual desire, when Catherine lights his cigar. The warm affectionate act between niece and uncle has an obvious sensual meaning in this context.

As Catherine enters into the kitchen embarrassed, Eddie is alone; he obviously has things on his mind. Alfieri's appearance is brief but significant; we are encouraged to feel sympathy and respect for Eddie. But the last line is a warning. Alfieri's appearance is also to highlight the effect the brother's arrival.

The play then plummets into the arrival of Beatrice's two cousins from Italy who are illegal immigrants. The arrival of the cousins creates apprehension, although Marco who is the eldest is very courteous towards Eddie.

Rodolpho is the younger of the two and he is blonde. This fascinates Catherine. And she voices her fascination like a child who is

Rodolpho is just rigid. Eddie almost seems like a man possessed.

Eddie goes to Alfieri once again, and this time Alfieri knows what will happen. When Alfieri could not do anything for Eddie. He called the Immigration Bureau. Eddie committed the injustice, which he was so against at the start of the play. Eddie was on his last legs and when the officers came fort he cousins Marco knew that Eddie had called the Bureau. Marco therefore made a large show, telling everyone in the street what Eddie had done. As a final insult to Eddie, Marco chooses to spit in his face, in front of everybody.

By this time, Catherine hates Eddie, but Beatrice still stands by his side, the gesture of a true wife. By this time, the climax has been reached and Marco insults Eddie and accuses him of killing his children. Catherine goes with Rodolpho to get Marco bail. Catherine still wants Eddie to come to her wedding, Beatrice walks up to Eddie with fear, "I'll be back in about an hour, Eddie, all right?" she says. The audience recognise the dramatic tension here as Eddie's 'Rocking' becomes more intense. Quietly and drained as though he