Analyzing 'A View From The Bridge': Themes and Characters

A View From The Bridge: Analysis of Themes and Characters

A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller

Actions

When we see Catherine serve food, or offer Eddie a beer, or when she sits on the bath while he shaves in her slip, we are being told about their relationship. Without being lovers, they have the kind of intimacy only lovers should have.

The two kisses at the start of act II are equally effective on stage: one with its suggestion of incest and the other illustrating Eddie's mistaken belief in Rodolfo's homosexuality.

The final action of the play is where Eddie dies by his own hand and his own weapon; but Eddie also metaphorically destroys himself over the whole course of the play. And this is what Alfieri introduces at the play's opening: "the sight of a man destroying himself, while those around him are as powerless as a theater audience to prevent it".

Symbolism

There is symbolism in the play's title. We are made to think of the more panoramic view, which sees things, from afar, in relation to each other. It is not the view from the ground level or the "water front", but a detached and objective view. This is the view we should have of Eddie, the view of Alfieri, the view that is "civilised" and will "settle for far".

Structure

Each act contains the same number of episodes, but these vary in length, while the first act is roughly twice the length of the second.

Character Analysis

Eddie

Alfieri realizes Eddie's feelings during his first conversation with him, who says: "there is too much love for the niece. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" But Eddie does not comprehend his feelings until Beatrice clearly says: "you want somethin' else, Eddie, and you can never have her!"

Eddie's greatest fear is not Marco, Rodolpho, or even loss of his name. What Eddie fears most is the disclosure of his secrets - he fears his own being. Eddie loses all respect and must confront Marco to regain his name: "Now gimme my name and we go together to the wedding."

Eddie is a normal working man, but as Alfieri says, he is "a victim of a passion that had moved into his body like a stranger". Rodolpho answers Eddie's attack by asking "you think I would carry on my back the rest of my life a woman I didn't love just to be an American?"

Alfieri

Alfieri is a bridge between the world of Red Hook and that of the audience. His main purpose is to serve as a chorus figure and he provides much more than mere narrative back-up. In particular, he establishes the inevitability of the tragedy early on and demands attention for the humanity of the characters: "I think I will love him more than all my sensible clients."

Themes

Love

Most characters' actions are brought about by love; it is love, not hatred, that fuels the violence.

Family

Among the assumptions of the Mafia is the idea that the law is useless and that direct "justice" is more effective. "Family" members are protected, enemies and those who betray the family are treated ruthlessly. Honour must be maintained; that is the inevitable consequence of the attitudes to family in this play.

Justice

Insults to the family must be avenged; that is the basis of "vendetta". Justice and the law are not the same thing, and the conflict between them runs through the play.