Act 1: up to page 23 LO: To understand and analyse the characters and relationships set up in Act 1.

Themes Love Justice and Law Honour A theme is an idea that runs through a text. A text may have one theme or many.

Cast of Characters Alfieri - lawyer Eddie – Italian immigrant Beatrice - Eddie’s wife Catherine – their orphaned niece Rodolfo and Marco – Bea’s cousins

The Italian American communities ‘Omerta’ is a code of honour that influences people to stay silent and not cooperate with authorities, for example the police, FBI, or immigration powers. It originated in Southern Italy and Sicily, where Mafia-style organizations were founded, and continue to operate. When Italians and Sicilians emigrated to America in the early 20th Century, this code accompanied them. Retaliation against those who inform was common-place, and in many of these communities, being known as a ‘rat’ or a ‘snitch’ was just about the worst thing you could be. Al Capone, a notorious Italian-American Mafia gangster from the early twentieth century.

Questions Find 3 pieces of information that the text gives us about Alfieri’s appearance and character. Explain why Alfieri feels the people are uneasy when they walk past him. What can you infer about justice on the streets of New York at this time? What can you infer about the neighborhood of Red Hook? What does Alfieri give away about the story that he is about to tell?

Foreshadowing What is foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing What is foreshadowing? Foreshadowing is… a warning of a future event OR used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary

Longshoremen waiting for work in New York near the docks Italian families in Booklyn

Quick Questions What is Eddie’s full name? What kind of work does he do, and where? “Catherine: Hi Eddie!” How does Eddie react, and how do you interpret this reaction? What do you make of the fact that it is Catherine rather than Beatrice who first greets Eddie upon his arrival home?

Key Quotation Eddie: With your hair like that you look like a Madonna … You’re the Madonna type. Mary with Jesus Means My Lady in Italian a) Who or what is the Madonna? b) What is it then to look like a Madonna? c) And what then is Eddie saying about Catherine?

The story of Vinny Bolzano Eddie: Listen, if everybody keeps his mouth shut PG: 12-13 Re-read Eddie’s story about Vinnie, the boy who “snitched” on his illegal immigrant uncle. Why might Eddie want this story told? What point is he trying to make? Use a quotation to support your answer. Why is it significant that Beatrice, not Eddie, tells the story? How might this story foreshadow what happens in the rest of the play?

Characterisation What words can we use to describe Eddie?

Characterisation What words can we use to describe Eddie? Angry Loyal SUSPICIOUS POSSESSIVE Loyal dismissive PESSIMISTIC Unsympathetic harsh Controlling Overprotective Knowledgeable Angry What words can we use to describe Eddie?

Comment about Eddie – characteristic Loyal – wouldn’t ‘snitch’ to anybody Understands the consequences of breaking the (unwritten) ‘law’ of his community Welcoming / accommodating Becomes uncomfortable with Rodolfo Establishes himself – the dominant male in control Changing – becoming tense Anxious about Rodolfo – sceptical Evidence It never comes out of your mouth who they are or what they’re doin’ here. [- he is coming more and more to address MARCO only ] Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word you gave away. [Eddie has risen, with iron control, even a smile] You’re welcome, Marco, we got plenty of room here [he is sizing up Rodolfo and there is concealed suspicion] [his face puffed with trouble]

Comment about Eddie – characteristic Loyal – wouldn’t ‘snitch’ to anybody Understands the consequences of breaking the (unwritten) ‘law’ of his community Welcoming / accommodating Becomes uncomfortable with Rodolfo Establishes himself – the dominant male in control Changing – becoming tense Anxious about Rodolfo – sceptical Evidence It never comes out of your mouth who they are or what they’re doin’ here. [- he is coming more and more to address MARCO only ] Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word you gave away. [Eddie has risen, with iron control, even a smile] You’re welcome, Marco, we got plenty of room here [he is sizing up Rodolfo and there is concealed suspicion] [his face puffed with trouble]

Analysing quotes 1. What does this tell us about Eddie? 4. What does this make the audience think about Eddie? 1. What does this tell us about Eddie? Quotation: “It never comes out of your mouth who they are or what they’re doin’ here” 2. What does the word ‘your’ tell us? 3. What does ‘never’ tell us about Eddie?

PEE Paragraph P: Point – What is your statement about the character or the theme? E: Evidence – A quote from the text that supports your point. E: Explanation – This is where you explain how your quote supports your point. This should be made up of three comments and should be the longest part of your paragraph.

Model Paragraph In Act One Eddie is… This can be seen… This tell us… The use of the word… suggests…this makes the reader think…

Your go 1. What does this tell us about Eddie? Quotation: “You can’t take no job” 3. What does this make the audience think about Eddie? 2. What does the word ‘can’t’ tell us?

Your Go In Act one Eddie… This is shown when he says… This shows that… The use of … suggests that… this makes the reader think…

reveals Eddie’s character Comment on what you think of Eddie about Eddie Evidence Comment on HOW Miller reveals Eddie’s character Comment on what you think of Eddie Loyal – wouldn’t ‘snitch’ on anyone Positive Or negative aspect? ‘It never comes out of your mouth who they are or what they’re doin’ here’ (15) What Eddie says: Word choice is significant – “your mouth” – not his. Does not even seem to be a question that he would ‘snitch’ “never” – emphatic, commanding – exerting his authority over the women Eddie appears to be loyal to a fault He is trying to protect his family from any trouble they would get into if they told anybody of the situation He is taking the lead + making it clear to the women that they must NOT say anything At this stage, Eddie appears to be typical of the community he lives in Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word you gave away (16) What Eddie says: Tone - almost like he is giving Cath advice - ‘just remember” Word choice: “million dollars that was stole” - a lot of money to these people highlights how difficult it would be to retract words – both scenarios imply carelessness Understands the consequences of breaking the ‘law’ of his community Positive Or negative aspect? It appears that Eddie has Catherine’s best interests at heart He is warning her trying to make her see how precious her “word” is — “million dollars” – given literal value The improbability of “snitching” being accepted is clearly shown Eddie appears to be very generous towards the men He is showing true consideration to their feelings and is trying to make the situation as easy as possible for them He seems genuine Keen to please - saying they have plenty of room when they don’t - doesn’t want the men to feel uneasy You’re welcome, Marco, we got plenty of room here (19) What Eddie says: Word choice - ‘welcome” “plenty of room” - indicates that Eddie wants the men to be there. We know there is far from plenty of room! Accommodating , warm and friendly Tone - friendly / pleasant - should put cousins at ease Welcoming / Accommodating Positive Or negative aspect?

reveals Eddie’s character Comment on what you think of about Eddie (U) Evidence Comment on HOW Miller reveals Eddie’s character (A) Comment on what you think of Eddie (E) Becomes uncomfortable with Rodolfo Positive Or negative aspect? [- he is coming more and more to address MARCO only ] (22) Stage directions reveal Eddie’s actions “Addresses” only Marco – not Radolpho. Word itself is controlling/domineering indicates change – why? Unexpected change as Eddie seemed so welcoming at first Unexplained as it is not clear why Eddie is becoming uncomfortable with Rodolpho although the audience can speculate reveals on ‘edge’ to Eddie’s character that again is unexpected his reaction shows clearly that he wants to be in charge and dominant he also appears to be enjoying the process clearly thinking that he has ‘won’ audience begin to question Eddie’s reaction and his motivation - Cath? Establishes himself – the dominant male in control Positive Or negative aspect? [Eddie has risen, with iron control, even a smile] (26) Stage directions again reveal what Eddie does “risen” - gets up - above all other characters - intimidating “iron control” - iron is a strong metal / steel - cannot be bent easily “even a smile” – indicates smugness? Triumphant Stage directions reveal what Eddie does “puffed” significant – indicates redness / change in appearance “trouble” is ominous - indicates anxiety or danger - inevitable that protagonist is mapping downfall? Also focus on a look - nothing has been spoken as yet Changing – becoming tense Positive Or negative aspect? [his face puffed with trouble] (27) Clear that Eddie feels that there is a problem audience again suspicious that Eddie is creating a situation out of nothing impression of Eddie is beginning to change although his motives could be entirely harmless and well meaning

The cousins Marco Rodolpho What happens to Catherine and Eddie with the introduction of the two brothers?

GROUPWORK: Relationships In your groups, using what we have read so far (up to p.23) build up a bank of evidence about the characters’ relationships. Focus your quotations and thoughts into three sections: How does Eddie act towards your character? What does Eddie secretly (or not so secretly) think about them? How have Eddie’s feelings towards your character changed throughout the act – and how might they continue to change?

Group 1: Eddie and Catherine Group 2: Eddie and Beatrice Group 3: Eddie and Marco Group 4: Eddie and Rodolpho Group 5: Rodolpho and Catherine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWkVrPcHn9I&feature=related Why do you think this is the song Miller chooses for Rodolpho to sing? What might be the double meaning in “I’ll never fall again” How do you feel about his depiction of the woman in the song? What is Eddie’s reaction to the song? Why?

To end… How is tension created in this section of Act 1? What predictions can we make?

Homework Finish reading Act 1. Select two quotations and turn them into PEE paragraphs. You can do two more paragraphs on Eddie or you can select a different character to analyse. All for next week. EC2 B – Thurs EC2 C - Wed