...Masculinity was important in America in the 1950s when A View from the Bridge is set. Both Franzen and Miller show that masculinity can be expressed by the different characters in his novel in many different ways which highlight the many aspects of masculinity. Both Franzen and Miller present masculinity through the ways in which the male characters interact with each other. There are conflicting views of masculinity in A View from the Bridge; Eddie represents the judgmental views of masculinity. His character is unable to bear Rodolpho’s attitude and appearance as it attacks Eddie’s individual definition of masculinity. “He’s like a weird…with that wacky hair…he’s like a chorus girl” Eddie unloads his feelings and disapproval regarding Rodolpho and his conduct to Catherine and Alfieri who is used as a guidance counsellor for Eddie to discuss his worries, “I see it in his eyes; he’s laughin’ at her and she’s laughin’ at me.” Eddie notices the behaviour of Rodolpho and interprets it in a jealous way to mean he is being made fun of behind his back. Eddie is seen as a strong masculine father figure, whereas Rodolpho is viewed as a blonde feminine acting male figure. Rodolpho sings “Paper Doll” to Catherine which in Eddie’s point of view hints at Rodolpho’s feminine natures. Eddie is threatened by Catherine’s great enjoyment in Rodolpho’s singing, Eddie rises and moves upstage, as an attempt to stop the singing which insults his view of masculinity. Eddie’s bowling buddies are used to...
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...relationship between Eddie and Catherine in ‘ A View From The Bridge’. How does it create dramatic tension for the audience? ‘A View from the Bridge’ is set in 1950s America in an Italian-American neighbourhood under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Brooklyn is a very poor area. It is a corrupt society in which laws are not obeyed and many people have a low social status. The vast majority of Brooklyn’s population was Sicilian. Brooklyn is described by Alfieri, the narrator, as the slum that faces the bay on the seaward side of Brooklyn Bridge. To the audience, the bridge not only shows the poor separated from the rich but a symbol of hope for the people living in Brooklyn as the city of New York is a place of dreams because there was work, security and accommodation but most importantly wealth. During the 1950s, much of Europe was completely destroyed due to the Second World War. Italy, with its corrupt ruler, had been one of the worst hit countries during the war, as they suffered huge amounts of damage in Northern towns and villages by the Germans who took revenge after they had become allies with the British. The economy had rapidly gone down and so this left many Sicilian Italians with no choice but to leave and migrate to the dream city of New York. They were called ‘submarines’ by many Americans as they moved from one place to another just to get American citizenship. In this case, the audience see that Eddie will do whatever it takes to break Catherine and Rodolfo’s relationship...
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...Wharton1 David Wharton Dr. Northcutt ENG 1020-04 April 10, 2012 “What a Beautiful Bridge” In the writing of A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway employs symbolism in many forms. Hemingway uses water in various states throughout the progression of the novel such as the use of rain and rivers to symbolize life and love as well as death and danger. Hemingway uses symbols to allude to the events that will occur in the coming chapters of the novel if the reader is keen to heed them. Hemingway’s use of the “bridge” and the rivers they cross, represent the lives of people and the hazards people encounter when they approach and cross a bridge in an effort to reach what is waiting on the other side. The novel opens with a beautiful description of life and of living our lives. “In the late summer of that year we lived in a house in a village that looked across the river and the plain to the mountains. In the bed of the river there were pebbles and boulders, dry and white in the sun, and the water was clear and swiftly moving and blue in the channels”(3). Life’s river bottom is littered with small problems and with large problems. When things are going well, our lives are blue skies and sunshine and we are eager to have life pass rapidly. Hemingway is making a stand on the political atmosphere that was prevalent in America in the late 1920’s and one which can be applied in contemporary America as well. I must Wharton2 disagree with Thomas P. McDonnell, who wrote in an article for the...
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...To What Extent is Eddie Carbone the Tragic hero of the Play ? ‘A view from the bridge’, an intriguing play written by a graduated journalist named Arthur Miller. Miller was born in New York, 1915. He started to write plays while he was at University of Michigan, and even carried on after graduating. Miller grew up in Brooklyn; this was where the play was set. As Miller was trying to make a name for himself, he worked at a shipyard for two years. He heard stories form his Italian friends he works alongside about how some men coming over to work illegally and being betrayed. This is where ‘A View from the Bridge’ was first inspired. Tragedy: it is a dramatic event where the main character is tested in certain circumstances in which the characters real form becomes unmasked. Aristotle was a famous Greek philosopher and writer, who defined the word tragedy. He said it should represent ‘terrible and piteous’ and lead the audience to experience ‘catharsis’ or feel sorrow. Miller used this technique to create a modern equivalent of a Greek tragedy. In addition, Aristotle also said that every tragedy must have a tragic hero; the protagonist of the play. Aristotle also talks about how a “Tragic Hero” This essay will be exploring how Eddie could be the “Tragic Hero” of the play – “A View from the Bridge”. Aristotle’s definition of a “Tragic Hero” should be good at the beginning but not entirely as this unrealistic. The character should be “appropriate” – meaning men should be manly...
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...The intention of a playwright may not only be to engage an audience. Playwrights often give the audience an insight into the values, attitudes and ideologies of the society explored in the play and thus, exposing the problems and weaknesses of the society on both a personal level and societal level. “A View from the Bridge”, written by Arthur Miller, is a 1950s domestic American tragedy which dramatises the spiritual and psychological destruction of Eddie Carbone, the protagonist, as a consequence of his incestuous taboo desire for his niece, Catherine. Through the effective use of symbolism, dialogue and props, Miller exposes the human and societal flaws of 1950s working class American society in order to bring about change in the values, attitudes and ideologies of 1950s society. In “A View from the Bridge”, the conflict between the New and Old World values is a ‘flaw’ that 1950s working class American class society possesses while the dark illicit desires for Catherine is a human weakness that Eddie possesses. Through these failings, Miller reveals the consequences of these flaws and the darker side of the human psyche. Miller reveals that the clash of values and attitudes between different people within society is a collective defect of 1950s working class American society and that the facades that individuals put on in order to conform to their expected role within society is a human flaw of the 1950s working class American individuals. Thus, the audience obtains a greater...
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...introduced to a girl by the name of Catherine Barkley by his dear friend Rinaldi. Henry really doesn’t want anything serious with Catherine, although as time passes, their feelings for each other begin to grow. Soon, Henry is sent to the front lines and gets injured by a mortar shell explosion. He is sent to receive medical care in a hospital in Milan where, coincidentally, Catherine is also being sent to. During the summer that Henry is there recuperating, he and Catherine spend much more time together and begin to get even closer. During that summer, they fell so in love...
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...> Compare the way writers present the forces of destructive love in Othello, Tess of the d’Urbervilles and A View from the Bridge. > > Shakespeare, Hardy and Miller present the forces destructive love in a variety of different ways, key ways include; through the use of literary terminology, representation of characters and symbolic themes of culture/society at the time. It is often portrayed within a mixture of other categories of love; patriarchal, romantic and unrequited intertwined with the most prominent themes of fate, family and tragedy. > > In terms of form, structure and context; Shakespeare has chosen the form of a play for his story of Othello therefore being divided into Acts and Scenes which develops the undertone of drama allowing for 'cliffhanger' endings, which when portrayed in the theater is positively reviewed by the audience. For example the first known performance in November 1604 at Whitehall Palace, which then created widespread delight causing the play to move across England. Perhaps the play was so greatly beloved due to the time in which it was written, as it came into the Jacobean period (when King James I ruled England) as the period of delight during Elizabethan times (due to War Victory) was over and so the tone of the play will be keeping well with the tone of the time between the reigns. It will also be coinciding with the theme of War as the play is set in the backdrop of Wars between Venice and Turkey when in reality the Spanish Armada will...
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...downfall, suffering, or defeat. In “A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller, the tragic hero, Eddie Carbone, has an obsessive love for his niece, Catherine. Eddie becomes jealous when Catherine begins a relationship with his wife’s cousin Rodolpho who is an illegal immigrant whom Eddie has brought into his home. Because of Rodolpho falling in love with Catherine, a series of events occur which leads to Eddie’s death. Eddie’s character, actions and beliefs change from positive to negative as the story leads towards Eddie’s death. The theme of Honor is also an element which leads to Eddie’s death. Eddie Carbone’s character has many positive qualities that are present from the start of the play. One of which is that Eddie is a very hardworking man, “He worked on the piers when there was work, he brought home his pay, and he lived.” This gives the reader the impression that Eddie is a good man who works hard for a living. He is a straightforward person who does things as part of a routine. Another of Eddie’s positive qualities is his caring nature, which is seen when he speaks to Catherine, “Katie, I promised your mother on her deathbed, I’m responsible for you. You’re a baby, you don’t understand these things.” Eddie acts as he was Catherine’s father and has taken the responsibilities of one, by wanting the best for Catherine. Eddie’s character has negative qualities are revealed as the play continues. As soon as Eddie sees that Rodolpho and Catherine are forming a strong relationship...
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...Discuss the performance of two actors in any live production that you have seen. You should also compare these with the performances of two actors from another live production you have seen. In your answer you should include; • Names of productions, dates viewed, venues • Actors’ interpretations of roles • Acting styles • Vocal characterisation • Physical characterisation • Interaction of characters • Personal reaction • Audience responses • Critical opinions • Comparison with other performances Ivo Van Hove’s interesting adaptation of Arthur Miller’s ‘A View from the Bridge’, which I went to see on 23rd February 2015 at the Wyndham theatre London, made effective use of simplistic set and costume so that the audience focused on the talented acting and fascinating interpretation. This play, set in 1950s Brooklyn, follows Italian immigrants and the ultimate downfall of Eddie Carbone- the protagonist- as he develops inappropriate feelings towards his niece, Katherine. The play was enjoyed by audience members and critics alike describe by David Alan as ‘the production of a lifetime’. Personally, I felt that Phoebe Fox’s interpretation of Catherine was incredibly effective. An integral theme to the play is her character’s innocence and ignorant attitude towards the relationship between her and Eddie, as she is utterly unaware of his developing feelings towards her. A particular moment where she successfully portrayed Catherine’s naivety was on her first entrance. The...
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...human weakness to be susceptible to temptation, before we are even introduced to Macbeth himself. Shakespeare presents Macbeths character as brave and fearless in Scene 2; without Macbeth being present. “Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’chaps and fixed his head upon our battlements”, this quotation is said by the captain, who is commending Macbeth for defeating the leader of the rebel army. We can see from this, how Macbeth posesses a merciless attitude and has no problem boasting his achievements in such a crude manner. The use of vivid imagery depicts Macbeth’s bravery in slaughtering the enemy, despite the brutality of the death. The gratitude proclaimed by the Captain also highlights Macbeth’s loyalty and devotion to the King, placing Macbeth on a pedestal to highlight Macbeth’s vast downfall later on in the play. In addition to this the Captain uses a simile, “Like Valour’s minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave”. Again, this depicts Macbeth as a courageous hero who used his ruthless bravery to make a pathway for himself in battle. In the play A View from The Bridge, Miller builds on showing Eddie Carbone’s human weakness (jealousy) through subtly suggesting he may have more than father-like feelings for his niece, Catherine. “ Katie, you are walkin’ wavy! I don’t like the looks they’re givin’ you … heads are turnin’ like windmills.” Through this quotation we get a taste of Eddie’s...
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...A view from the bridge: Plot summary: Eddie Carbone was a man who worked as longshoreman in Brooklyn, he was married with Beatrice and they had to look after their orphan niece Catherine. Beatrice’s cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, were going to immigrate in the USA from Italy to stay in Carbone’s house illegally. Once they arrived, the balance in the family has been completely destroyed: Catherine and Rodolpho started to get on very well and to feel something each other, but Eddie didn’t agree, as he suspected that he “ain’t right” because he was able to sing well, to cook, to sew but also because he was blonde. Eddie, trying to stop their relationship, asked Alfieri, a lawyer and friends, if it was possible with the law not to let his niece and Rodolpho staying together, but Alfieri said that it wasn’t possible. Important themes: justice, law, love, homosexuality, immigration, maturity Structure: The book I read is a play, specifically a tragedy, and it’s divided in two acts. The beginning of each act it’s focused on the desk where Alfieri, a lawyer, is sitting at. He’s such a narrator and in the first act he talks to the audience to explain the contest where the story took place, furthermore he explains who he is what is his job. In the second act, Alfieri clarifies that the story jumps to the 23th December This prologue is made with the consciousness of Alfieri of what happened there before, that’s why he’s the...
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...Tragedy of Denial Arthur Miller is considered to be one of the greatest play writers of his times. After many years the themes of his plays can still be compared to our every day life. Miller has written his plays filled with drama, tragedy and leaving the reader feeling the emotion of his characters. Miller has used common themes that can be traced through some of his plays; the theme of family and the extent an individual will go to for their family. In three of his plays, Miller demonstrates tragedy wrapped within denial. The three families portrayed in Millers plays, All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, and A View From The Bridge are families that are consumed with denial to cover up and protect against their own guilt and selfish needs. Each of these families have characters who display such strong denial believing they are doing what is best for their family. However, when taking a closer look, what is reviled is failure and justifications to protect what is best for them selves. In All My Sons by Arthur Miller, the characters forming the Keller family are living in the 1940’s, a time where financial stability seemed out of reach. Joe Keller who is a father, husband, and business owner, is one of the main characters in this play. Joe is able to provide his family with the financial stability he has wanted but at a high cost. With one bad decision, Joe committed a crime that he never thought would affect his family directly. Joe allowed the defective airplane parts...
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...Victoria Egan AP English IV Mrs. S. Johnson May 9, 2011 IRJ Characters Elizabeth Bennet - The main character. second daughter of Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth's most intelligent and reasonable for the Bennet sisters five years. She is well read and quick-witted in a language that can be too hot at their best. Implementation of the essential goodness of Darcy at the end the triumph of his initial prejudices against him. Fitzwilliam Darcy - a wealthy man, Mr Pemberley, and the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Although Darcy is intelligent, honest look at its causes him more pride in his social inferior. While admiring the novel, the spirits, he learns to love and class consciousness and Elizabeth for their strong character. Jane Bennet- oldest and most beautiful Bennet sister. Jane's more sober and gentler than Elizabeth. Easy pleasure with which she and Bingley will deliver the opposite of the mutual hostility that the conflict between Darcy and Elizabeth Mark. Charles Bingley: Obviously wealthy friend Darcy. On purchase of Bingley Netherfield, ownership under the Bennetts, an incentive for the novel. He's brilliant, man of good will, which contrasts with the calm nature of the boorish behavior of the original Darcy. He is happy not to worry about class differences. Mr. Bennet - Bennet family patriarch, Sir modest income of five unmarried daughters. Mr. Bennett has a sarcastic, cynical humor that he used deliberately irritate his wife. Although he loves his daughters...
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...Muthoni's Section 3 Section 3 Muthoni Elizabeth Bradfield In our adaptation of A View from a Bridge, we had to adapt a lot of the script to fit the focus of our performance; the plight of the immigrants. We had to remove a lot of lines that consequently resulted in Catherine not having many lines to say. We had to remove the inappropriate romantic feelings Eddie has for Catherine in the play, and we had to remove the romantic relationship between Rodolfo and Catherine as well. The last scene we performed was not actually a part of the play script, we had to edit it as a group and make some lines appropriate, where the focus was concerned. The fact that we had taken out the inappropriate romantic feeling Eddie has to Catherine, we also had to give him another reason to hate Rodolfo, and we decided to give the reason is because Rodolfo is not masculine enough for Eddie, and Eddie goes so far as to say that he is gay.Through the adaptation of the script we had hoped to change the focus of the performance, which is some of the reasons as to why people migrate and the problems they could face once they get to their destination. As a lot of the girls in our group had male parts to play they had to really practice deep voices and the right walking movements, so as to not appear too feminine. I, on the other hand had a problem at first with being girly and cute, as that is not my actual personality, however the high heels I wore really helped the whole...
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...you stage the printed extract from your chosen set play in order to bring out your interpretation of it for an audience? Your answers should include justified suggestions for the director of your cast and for the design of the piece as appropriate to the style of the play and to your creative overview of it. A View from the Bridge is a naturalist play written by Arthur Miller in 1955. It follows the Carbone family as they welcome two illegal immigrants into their home while they work to make money for their families back in Italy. However, the head of the household, Eddie doesn’t take a liking to one of the immigrants, Rodolpho. As Rodolpho and Eddie’s niece, Catherine get closer and closer it angers Eddie. This anger ultimately leads to his dead. The play deals with themes such as love, family and honour. In this extract, Catherine and Rodolpho have returned from seeing a film to Eddie waiting for them in the street. Eddie discussed Catherine’s relationship with Rodolpho with her and towards the end of the exact brings up the fact that Rodolpho may only want to be in a relationship with her for his American citizenship. While directing this scene, my intensions would be for the audience to feel sympathy for Eddie and a sadness for Catherine. As well as this, I would also want them to feel a new unease towards Rodolpho as this will be the first time the audience will see that Rodolpho may have ulterior motives for his relationship with Catherine. I would stage this play on...
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