"A View from the Bridge" is a play written by Arthur Miller in 1955. The play is set in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York and tells the story of Eddie Carbone, a working-class Italian-American longshoreman.
Eddie is married to Beatrice and they have a niece, Catherine, who is in her early 20s. Catherine is the focus of Eddie's affection, and he is extremely protective of her. When Beatrice's cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, arrive in the United States illegally from Italy, Eddie allows them to stay with his family. However, Eddie becomes increasingly jealous and possessive of Catherine as she starts to develop feelings for Rodolpho.
As the tensions between Eddie and Rodolpho escalate, Eddie becomes more and more paranoid and irrational. He eventually denounces Marco and Rodolpho to the immigration authorities, leading to a tragic and violent confrontation between the two men.
Throughout the play, Miller explores themes of jealousy, love, and loyalty. Eddie's jealousy and possessiveness ultimately lead to his downfall, as his actions have devastating consequences for those around him. The play also touches on the theme of the American Dream, as Marco and Rodolpho are searching for a better life in the United States.
In the end, "A View from the Bridge" is a poignant and powerful tale that delves into the complexities of human emotion and the consequences of our actions. It is a timeless classic that continues to be studied and performed to this day.
Summary Of A View From The Bridge By Arthur Miller
When the brothers and two other immigrant relatives of a neighbor are brought downstairs, Catherine throws herself on Rodolpho, crying and proclaiming that he is a citizen. After this incident, Eddie reports the cousins to immigration, and the play moves swiftly to the negative outcome. Alfieri, an Italian-American lawyer in his fifties, enters the stage and sits in his office. The Congressional committee was targeting many in the entertainment industry, especially Kazan. At one point, he blurts out that he fears that Roldolpho is using her to become a citizen. He starts to show Rodolpho some boxing moves, and then asks Rodolpho to try to hit him.
A View from the Bridge Study Guide
In the first paragraph, Miller gives a general description of the setting: 'The street and house front of a tenement building. Beatrice and Catherine show love for Eddie in his dying moments, though it is worth noting that Eddie seemed to care more about respect than love. Beatrice tells him that Catherine is getting married next week because she is worried about Rodolpho getting picked up. Alfieri tries to tell him to be aware of his feelings for Catherine and let her go. As if to foreshadow a literary device used to indicate an important future event the tragic events to come, Eddie and Beatrice remember the case of Vinny Bolanzo, a 14-year-old illegal Italian immigrant whose own uncle informed on him to the police and had him deported. Marco talks about the kitchen on the boat, and says that Rodolpho was a very good cook. .
