1. A View from the Bridge – Act two
LO: To understand and analyse the events and characters in Act 2.

2. Homework review ‘Marco: Can you lift this chair?’
How does Miller present Marco in this quotation?

3. Starter
What is irony?
a) the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning (“How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend.)
b) an incongruity between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs.
DRAMATIC IRONY: When the audience is aware of something that the character is not
TRAGIC IRONY: When a character’s actions lead to consequences beyond his desire/intentions

4. Where is there irony in the text?
E.g the story of Vinnie Bolzano is tragically ironic as Eddie goes on to do what he says he despises
The lyrics to ‘paper doll’ are dramatically ironic as they tell the story of a paper girl who can never be stolen away (but we as an audience can see that Catherine is on the verge of being stolen away by Rodolpho

5. FORESHADOWING
Alfieri: Catherine told me later that this was the first time they had been alone in the house
What tense does Alfieri use for his ‘chorus’ lines? What effect might this have on the audience?

6. No love lost… Have a close look at p.51-52
GROUP 1: Why did Eddie kiss Catherine? Find a quotation to show that this event could have been predicted. Try to come up with more than one possible interpretation.
GROUP 2: Why did Eddie kiss Rodolpho? Find a quotation to show that this event could have been predicted (tricky!). Try to come up with more than one possible interpretation.

7. THE PHONE BOOTH p.54-55
The phone booth has been on stage the whole time. Why might Miller have wanted this?
In groups of 3-4, mind map what the glowing phone box might symbolise…
A symbol of the ‘real’ world beyond the play
A symbol of law and order (like a flashing siren)
A beacon of hope for deluded Eddie
A sign that he cannot hide of his betrayal (think of Lady Macbeth’s bloodstained hands)
A symbol of his destiny, calling him to it
A symbol of his isolation, the lone light in the darkness

8. Reading page 60 onwards

9. ‘If you don’t want people to know about it, don’t do it’ (Chinese proverb)
In pairs, discuss when (if) you think Eddie starts to regret his actions. Is it
As soon as he hangs up?
When Catherine invites him to the wedding?
When he realises more immigrants, associated with other families, will also get caught?
When he realises people will realise he was the one who snitched?

10. The ‘tragic hero’. Between p
The ‘tragic hero’? Between p we see two very different sides to Eddie’s character. A tragic hero will often possess this mixture of redeeming qualities and fatal flaws. Find some contrasting quotations that show: 1) Eddie as a loving father 2) Eddie as a violent and unreasonable bully

11. LO: To understand and analyse the end of the play.

12. Thinking questions
If Eddie could be considered the protagonist of the play, who or what is the ANTAGONIST?
Eddie clearly sees justice as a cardinal virtue. What are the contradictions in his view of justice? How could this also be his fatal flaw?
The cardinal virtues are a set of four virtues recognized in the writings of Classical Antiquity and in Christian tradition. Two of them are:
Justice - proper moderation between self-interest and the rights and needs of others
Temperance or Restraint - practicing self-control, abstention, and moderation

13. “A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.”
‘AMERICAN JUSTICE’
1) What does this involve for the two immigrants?
‘NATURAL JUSTICE’
2) What does Marco suggest this would involve?
CHALLENGE QUESTION: Do you agree with the concept of ‘lex talionis’ (an eye for an eye)? Why/why not?

14. Alfieri’s final speech – complete the table in pairs
Speech/Quotation
Meaning and effect
'We settle for half'
'The truth is holy'
Eddie’s memory calls to him, 'not purely good, but himself purely.'
'I will love him more than all my sensible clients.'

15. Key questions about EDDIE – answer in note form to add to your personal bank of ideas
In tragedies by writers such as Ovid and Shakespeare the heroes are usually men of rank and position. Why do you think Miller chose to make Eddie an ordinary man?
Find the key moments in the play when we are reminded of Eddie's goodness.
Do the audience feel any sympathy with Eddie at any point? If so, identify those points.
Does the audience admire Eddie at any time?
Does Eddie reach any point of self-awareness about his feelings towards Catherine?
Why does Miller give the play’s final lines to Alfieri?
How do Alfieri’s words influence the audience’s feelings towards Eddie?

16. Catherine’s feelings Catherine’s feelings about Eddie
How does Catherine feel when Eddie is stabbed? Make a table (with as many rows as you need) to show the different feelings and attitudes she has towards Eddie during this scene, up until the end of the play.
Catherine’s feelings about Eddie
Evidence (example or quotation)

17. Beatrice’s wisdom (p81/83)
Partner A: “Then we all belong in the garbage. You, and me too ... Whatever happened we all done it.”
What does Beatrice mean by “we all done it”?
What do you think Miller is trying to tell the audience through Beatrice?
Partner B: “You want somethin’ else, Eddie, and you can never have her!”
What is Beatrice implying is the cause of all of Eddie’s actions?
What is our opinion of Beatrice now?

18. BETRAYAL WAYS IN WHICH EDDIE HAS BETRAYED HIS FAMILY/COMMUNITY
WAYS IN WHICH EDDIE HAS BETRAYED HIMSELF (either given himself away by his reactions OR betrayed his own values and beliefs)

19. What was hidden (but comes to the surface) ?
SKETCH the figure of Eddie – what changes, what is revealed and what remains constant? Use quotations! Keep it neat/legible
What changes about Eddie throughout the play?
What remains constant?

20. Themes What are the main themes of the play?
Immigration
Revenge
Masculinity
Love
Honour
Justice
Themes
What are the main themes of the play?
For each theme you need to complete the following:
Instances in the play where the theme appears
Why the theme has been used in the play?
Which characters does the theme involve?