1. Introducing the play, A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller Learning objectives: introduce the play raise key themes through drama introduce playwright and cultural/historical background Key terms: immigration Italian community longshoreman slum shipyard theme Starter: look up in a dictionary any of the key terms you don’t understand and write it down next to the word 30 th October, 2006

2. To understand the context of Arthur Miller's play you need to know a bit about Arthur Miller himself, and some background facts about migration from Italy to the US during the 1950s. Pick and write down information about Miller and the play you think is important. ARTHUR MILLER Arthur Miller was born to a Jewish family in New York in 1915. His grandparents had immigrated to America from Poland. When the family business failed, they moved to Brooklyn, where A View from the Bridge is set. Between his years as a journalist and making his name as a playwright, Miller worked in the Brooklyn shipyards for two years, where he befriended the Italians he worked alongside. He heard a story of some men coming over to work illegally and being betrayed. The story inspired A View from the Bridge, which was written in 1955. Miller's first marriage ended in divorce in 1956. He then married the actress Marilyn Monroe, but they divorced in 1961.

3. Italian immigration Pick and write down information about Miller and the play you think is important. The play is set in Red Hook, Brooklyn, a very poor area, described by Alfieri as the slum that faces the bay on the seaward side of Brooklyn Bridge. This was a dockers area and many foreigners who came to the USA settled in this area, especially Italians. (This was the area that the Italian Mafia worked in).

4. IMMIGRATION Answer the following question: Do you think Miller could sympathise with the immigrants and longshoremen? Why? (look back at your notes) Jot down a quick list of the sorts of problems you think immigrants may face.

5. Plenary Write down three things you’ve learned (about Miller, the background of the play, immigration).