1. A View from the Bridge
Drama - Arthur Miller

2. Studying Drama Author’s Purpose – Theme(s) and Message
Aspects of staging: stage directions, lighting, set, music
Dialogue, monologue, soliloquy
Context and Setting
Symbolism
Author’s Purpose – Theme(s) and Message
Plot and Key Scenes
Structure: exposition, climax, denouement
Characterisation – Major/Minor, Key Relationships, Conflicts
Style and Tone

3. Stimulus and Development
Friend told of dream in which he was attracted to cousin – Miller suggested might mean he wanted incestuous relationship but he was horrified & refused to accept (Eddie/Alfieri)
Story of longshoreman who betrayed own relatives by going to Immigration – attempting to prevent marriage between one of the brothers & niece. Scorned & ostracized by community & disappeared (rumour one of brothers killed him) – Rodolpho/Catherine & Eddie’s reaction to relationship

4. Red Hook and Longshoremen
In Brooklyn – slum area of New York (across Brooklyn Bridge)
One of first neighbourhoods to be settled – Dutch Settlers 1636 named after red soil & hook like shape
1850 – one of busiest ports
Community of longshoremen & dockworkers – mostly Italian – developed late 19th century – most escaping poverty & seeking new life
Tough neighbourhood – Al Capone’s first home & scene of first crimes – got wound which inspired
nickname ‘Scarface’
Miller explored & researched neighbourhood – struck by complex Mafia power structure lurking beneath placid surface
1950s Golden age of longshoremen community
– living in row houses (built 1936)

5. Symbolism of The Title

6. What is the symbolism of the title – Brooklyn Bridge?
Symbolic of pathway of opportunity to Manhattan
Linkage between American & Italian cultures – important as Eddie has to battle between his Italian community values (loyalty & honour) and American Law & Order
Close to Red Hook – constant reminder of American opportunity & industry – what Rodolpho craves
Can view entire community below – seek greater abstract meaning from viewpoint
Alfieri symbolic of person on bridge looking upon community OR perhaps bridge himself – allowing people to cross into Manhattan & modern, intellectual American culture
Attempts to unite American law with Italian cultural practices – negotiate place between two
Narrates from present into past – same vantage point as one looking from bridge
As time passes – process events & see greater societal & moral implications it has for community as a whole
WE MUST BALANCE OUR OWN PERSONAL/INDIVIDUAL NEEDS & DESIRES WITH THOSE OF PEOPLE AROUND US - WIDER COMMUNITY

7. The Greek Tragedy
“I wanted to write a play that had the cleanliness… the clear line of some of the Greek tragedies. Meaning that we would be confronted with a situation that we would be told in effect what the ending was. The question was not what was going to happen, but how it was going to happen”
Arthur Miller on the Dramatic Nature of the play.

8. Greek Tragedy – Genre Features
Unity of time, place & action – a single location & situation
Tragic Hero (Eddie) – a character of noble stature & greatness, occupies a ‘high’ status position - must embody nobility & virtue as part of innate character
Not perfect – we must be able to identify – must see as essentially like us
Downfall partially his/her own fault = free choice. Triggered by error of judgement or character flaw: Hamartia = Tragic Flaw (Eddie’s self-interest & denial)
Punishment not wholly deserved – exceeds crime
Fall leads to some increase in self awareness, self-knowledge, discovery (Eddie’s final lines)
Arouses solemn emotion but offer catharsis
- cleanse us of ‘unhealthy’ emotions
(contribute to good health of community)

9. Greek Chorus
Originally a group (up to 50 members) – several techniques: singing, dancing, narrating, acting
Provide background and summary information to help audience follow performance – comment on themes
Often express what the main characters cannot say – hidden fears, secrets
Alfieri (the Lawyer) performs role of Greek chorus - he has the view from the bridge - an elevated position of moral superiority: he has the ‘big picture - tells and controls the story in flashbacks, focusing on key scenes/moments – an important structural feature
Tells us what is going to happen - he sees the imminent danger but is powerless to stop it – reminds us of inevitability of ending

10. Alfieri’s Opening Monologue
What is revealed through Alfieri’s opening speech about the setting, situation and themes of the play?
Pay particular attention to:
The impression created of the Italian community
The atmosphere of suspicion
‘justly shot by unjust men’
Use of imagery to describe Red Hook
Changes over time
Contrast between Alfieri’s usual cases and Eddie’s
The universality and inevitability of Eddie’s fate

11. Overview
Carbone family = Eddie (tragic hero), Beatrice (his wife), Catherine (Beatrice’s sister’s daughter)
At start, family are content, close . Eddie is dominant male, loving, well respected and overly protective
They are going to take in Beatrice’s cousins who are illegal immigrants looking for work
Rodolpho and Catherine begin to form a relationship which Eddie is jealous of
He tries to prevent the relationship and seeks advice from Alfieri (the lawyer)
When he does not get the advice he wants to hear, and is not successful in splitting the two up, he commits the ultimate betrayal
This leads to his family and the community turning against him
Marco seeks his revenge which leads to the inevitable tragic conclusion

12. Act 1 – Part a: pp.1-7
Alfieri sets the scene and introduces Eddie’s story; Eddie arrives home with news of cousins’ arrival.
How are the Carbone family presented at the start of the play? Consider them as individuals and as a family unit.
Eddie
Catherine
Beatrice

13. Eddie Respected Domineering Paternal Protective
Precious about Catherine
Worldly wise
Frank in his views/ opinions
Inquisitive
‘a husky slightly overweight longshoreman’
‘you’re an angel’ – B
Symbols – ‘walkin’ wavy’ / ‘high heels’
Acknowledges his roots

14. Act 1 – Part b: pp.7-15
Catherine tells Eddie about her job opportunity; Eddie reminds Catherine & Beatrice not to speak about cousins and tells the story of Vinny Bolzano.
QUESTIONS:
List Eddie’s reasons and fears about Catherine’s job.
What does Beatrice suggest is behind Eddie’s reluctance? Explain his reaction.
What is the significance of Vinny Bolzano’s story being told?
What signs are there in this section of the closeness between Eddie & Catherine? Consider stage directions and symbolic objects/ acts.
How does Alfieri’s speech help establish Eddie’s character?

15. Listening Focus Act 1 Presentation of brothers
Eddie’s attitudes/ relationship with Rodolpho
Catherine & Rodolpho’s emerging relationship
Beatrice’s comments to Eddie & discussion with Catherine
Alfieri’s comments & discussion with Eddie
Boxing match/ confrontation

16. Act 2 Scenic Unit 1 Explain fully why this is such a pivotal scene:
Relationship between Catherine & Rodolpho
Relationship between Catherine & Eddie
Symbolic importance of ‘the kiss’
Support your points with textual evidence.

17. Pivotal Consumation of Catherine & Rodolpho’s relationship
Catalyst for Eddie’s breaking point
Revelation of true (lustful?) nature of Eddie’s feelings for Catherine
First assertion of Catherine’s independence – rejection of Eddie

18. The Kiss
Catherine?
Passion Possession Humiliation
Rodolpho?

19. Act 2 – Scenic Unit 2
How does Miller use Alfieri to convey the danger Eddie is in?
Who or what does Eddie betray when he phones immigration?
Summarise Beatrice’s view of the situation with Catherine.
What is revealed about Eddie’s attitudes during his argument with Beatrice? (‘wholly known’)

20. Act 2 Scenic Unit 3
Explain and analyse Eddie’s reaction to the news of Lipari’s two other boarders.
What is significant about the timing of the arrival of the Immigration Officers? Explain how Eddie reveals himself.
In terms of the drama why is it important that the arrests happen in public? Explain fully.
Analyse and summarise the differing views of justice discussed by Marco and Alfieri.

21. The Ending Catherine’s final assertion of her independence
What Eddie wants at the end – why Rodolpho won’t suffice
Beatrice’s view of situation
Eddie dying on his own knife
Eddie’s final words
Significance of Alfieri’s comments

22. Character Notes Eddie Alfieri Beatrice Catherine Marco Rodolpho
Personality
Relationships
Role in drama
Key quotes
Stage directions
Relevance to theme

23. Carousel Activity Themes Images/ Motifs/ Symbols
Turning Points/ Key Scenes
Dramatic Irony
Eddie
Catherine
Beatrice