A View from the Bridge is a play by Arthur Miller. The play is set in Brooklyn in the 1950s and tells the story of Italian-American dockworker Eddie Carbone.
Eddie is a proud and protective man, who is deeply devoted to his family. However, his loyalty to his family is put to the test when he falls in love with his niece, Catherine.
The playwright uses a number of devices to foreshadow the tragedy that will ultimately unfold. For example, Eddie’s brother-in-law Marco talks about how he had to leave his home in Italy because he was accused of being a Communist. This sets up the idea that there may be political tensions within the family. Additionally, Eddie’s obsession with Catherine and his possessiveness of her foreshadow the tragedy that will occur when he tries to stop her from marrying her boyfriend, Rodolfo.
Ultimately, it is clear from the beginning of the play that it will end in tragedy. The playwright uses a number of devices to hint at the tragic events that will take place, making it evident from the start that A View from the Bridge will be a tragic story.
A tragedy in a play script is dramatic with an unhappy conclusion, but it does not always have to end in death. A tragedy may be a sad occurrence, calamity, serious accident, or crime without any connection to the play. Eddie has both a severe accident and an act of betrayal in A View from the Bridge, making it a tragedy. The notion of a tragic finish becomes more apparent through certain elements of the drama (such as time and place), as well as the setting and background.
Eddie’s character is one which instantly creates a sense of unease and tragedy. A control freak, Eddie is constantly trying to be the head of the house, making decisions for everyone else without any regard for how they might feel. This lack of empathy sets him up as someone who is not going to have a happy ending – he is too wrapped up in himself to be able to see what is happening around him. The fact that he lives in such a small, cramped apartment also suggests that he is trapped both physically and emotionally.
The play is set in Red Hook, Brooklyn in 1955. Red Hook was (and still is) a very poor area of New York City. It was known for being a tough place to live, with high crime rates and a lot of poverty. The fact that the play is set here adds to the sense that it will not have a happy ending – the characters are already struggling to make ends meet, so it is unlikely that things will work out well for them.
The play also deals with some heavy topics, such as illegal immigration and violence. These are both things that can lead to tragedy, and Miller does not shy away from showing the darker side of life in Red Hook. There are several scenes in which Eddie gets angry and violent, and it is clear that he is capable of doing serious harm to others.
All of these factors come together to create a sense that A View from the Bridge is heading towards a tragic ending. Eddie is a deeply flawed character who is struggling to deal with some difficult situations. The play itself is set in a tough, dangerous place and deals with some dark themes. All of this makes it clear that the play will not have a happy ending.
The play’s setting, both on stage and in society, is the first aspect to be noticed. The play’s only few essential props are found on the stage. The presence of Alfieri’S OFFICE and a FIRE ESCAPE creates an impression of attempting to avoid legal entanglements. A phone booth also appears, implying something terrible will happen when illegal immigrants arrive.
The colour red is also significant as it is seen as a warningsignal. The colour is used for the car, Marco and Rodolpho’s shirts and on the fire escape. A View from the Bridge is set in Red Hook, Brooklyn in 1955. The time period is vital to an understanding of the play as it provides context surrounding the events that take place.
At this time, America was undergoing massive social change with immigration playing a large role. This was a time of great tension between those who were pro-immigration and those who were against it. This tension is reflected in the play through the conflict between Eddie and Marco.
Eddie is introduced as a man who is struggling to come to terms with his own identity in a changing world. He is a longshoreman who has worked on the docks for many years. He is a respected member of the community, but he is also a man who feels threatened by the changes that are taking place around him. He is particularly afraid of immigrants, and this fear is what drives his conflict with Marco and Rodolpho.
Eddie’s niece, Catherine, is also introduced in the play. She is a young woman who is caught between two worlds. She is attracted to Eddie, but she is also drawn to Rodolpho. She represents the innocence of the American dream, and her choices will have a major impact on the events of the play.
The final character to be introduced is Alfieri. He is an Italian-American lawyer who serves as the play’s narrator. He is a voice of reason who tries to guide Eddie away from his self-destructive path.
The play opens with Eddie and Catherine preparing for Rodolpho’s arrival. Eddie is immediately suspicious of him, and he does everything he can to try to keep him away from Catherine. However, Catherine is drawn to him, and she eventually agrees to marry him.
Eddie’s suspicion of Marco and Rodolpho turns into jealousy, and he starts to plot against them. He falsely accuses them of being illegal immigrants in order to get them deported. This ultimately leads to tragedy, as Marco takes desperate measures to protect his family.
