1. ‘A View from the Bridge’
Arthur Miller
Act One
Eddie
When Eddie seeks advice from Alfieri the root of Eddie’s dislike of Rodolpho is revealed. Eddie’s lack of
control is also beginning to show.
‘But I know what they’re laughing at, and when I think of that guy layin his hands on her I could – I mean
it’s eatin’ me out, Mr Alfieri, because I struggled for that girl. And now he comes in my house and –’
(p.33)
1. How has Miller used punctuation to reveal Eddie’s frustration? (A)
The dash creates a pause in the sentence and suggests that Eddie is unsure how to verbalise his thoughts.
2. Eddie uses the word ‘struggled’. Explain the connotations of the word. What does it suggest he feels
about Rodolpho?
Struggled suggests someone has worked hard for something. Eddie feels that a huge injustice has been
inflicted on him. This also shows us that Eddie views Catherine as his possession.
3. How does Alfieri create a sense of the impending tragedy?
POINT Alfieri creates a sense of foreboding and doom.
EVIDENCE / : He describes ‘a passion that had moved into his body like a stranger’. This suggests that Eddie
is not in control of his emotions. He brings up the topic of crime, even going as far as to suggest that he
thought Eddie had ‘committed a crime’. He describes Eddie using a simile ‘his eyes were like tunnels’. This
suggests that Eddie was focused on one thing and had dark thoughts.
EXPLAIN / EVALUATION : The audience feels that something bad is going to happen. Alfieri
has once again successfully created the atmosphere.
4. How does Eddie try to justify his concern over Rodolfo and Catherine’s relationship to Alfieri?
Eddie believes that Rodolfo is leading Catherine on so as to obtain American Citizenship and that he is in
fact gay.
‘Eddie: (takes a breath and glances briefly over each shoulder) The guy ain’t right, Mr Alfieri’.
Eddie is suggesting here that Rodolfo is gay. He’s showing his desperation at this point and will use any
excuse to try to break Catherine and Rodolfo’s relationship.