A View from the Bridge Arthur Miller

Elements of Greek tragedy Sense of inevitability in story Elements of dramatic irony Role of the chorus Presence of tragic flaw Cathartic finale

Conflicts Two interwoven conflicts Family relationship of Eddie, Beatrice and Catherine dominated by Eddie’s identity as provider and protector Social responsibility to provide shelter and direction to relations Marco and Rudolpho Ultimately, these two conflicts become irreconcilable – to protect his vision of family, Eddie betrays his social responsibility

Responsibility to Family Moral obligation deriving from Sicilian heritage Emotional obligation – sense of being necessary gives Eddie a sense of importance about himself Social expectation – Eddie’s image of “manliness” is being a provider, protector, decision maker; must be strong, enduring, self-sacrificing and uncomplaining

Relationship with Catherine Accepts her as if she were daughter She is devoted to him and makes him feel important Opposes her “growing up” because he is afraid of her leaving Initially, at least, Beatrice is jealous of Catherine in an emotional sense – Eddie gets more from his relationship with Catherine than he does from his wife

Relationship with Catherine Rudolpho is immediate threat to this relationship Epitomizes everything that Eddie despises (cooks, sews, sings – feminine in tendencies, at least in Eddie’s culture, irresponsible, lives for moment, doesn’t share value of work) Eddie seeks opportunities to belittle Rudolpho verbally and finally physically at the end of Act I; all of his efforts fail however

Relationship with Catherine Failure precipitates three fold disaster: Alienates Catherine who must choose between them Forces Beatrice to pick a side as well (she stands by Eddie, but from sense of duty, not choice) Makes an enemy of Marco and the larger community – a huge problem since respect is driving value for Eddie especially from those, like Marco, whom he admires and whose values he share

Alfieri as chorus Speaks directly to audience Tries to caution Eddie Legal advice Moral advice Acknowledges inevitability of his downfall Observer of action but not participant Title refers to Alfieri – stands aloof from the action, viewing from a distant bridge

Confrontation with Marco Foreshadowed by chair incident in Act I Built on irony that Marco is mirror image of Eddie, one person whose values he shares completely Final confrontation based on Frustration /confusion that while all his actions have been directed from the best of motives (“I only wanted what’s best for you Katie”), he has been humbled, ridiculed and betrayed as a result

Confrontation with Marco Marco embodies all of the forces that have betrayed him and stolen his “name”; seems to believe that if can defeat Marco, he can overwhelm these forces and reclaim his rightful place

Tragedy and Common Man Hero must be willing to sacrifice everything, including his life, to protect what he sees as his rightful place in society Tragic flaw is unwillingness to passively accept what society tells him he should be Tragedy results in downfall of hero, but is at least partly optimistic in that It demonstrates the indomitable will of hero It results in positive social change

Eddie Carbone – modern tragic hero? Willing to give up everything, including life for what he sees as rightful place? Flaw is refusal to passively accept what society tells him his place should be? Tragedy demonstrates the indomitable will of the hero? Tragedy highlights social flaw that can now be remedied?