a view from the bridge critical essay

Ms Bellamy's English Class blog

N5 - 'a view from a bridge'.

• Justice and the Law
• Natural law vs written law
• Masculinity
• The importance of reputation (importance of your name)
• Responsibility
• Forbidden Desires
• Women and Femininity
• Language forms – Educated, controlled dialogue of Alfieri vs. raw nature of Eddie’s speech.
• Metaphors and imagery 
• Dramatic tension
• Foreshadowing – hinting at events to come
• Dramatic irony – when the audience knows more than the character about a situation.
• A close father/daughter relationship
• Eddie is protective of Catherine and Catherine cares deeply about what Eddie thinks of her.
• Catherine cares for and looks after Eddie/eager to please and Eddie appreciates this and wants what is best for her.
• Tensions have started to form due to the arrival of Rodolpho and Catherine’s attraction towards him
• Eddie has become far more controlling and cruel towards Catherine
• Catherine is upset by Eddie and is angered at the way he is treating her
• Catherine begins to speak out against him/is not so easy to please.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — A View From The Bridge — A View from the Bridge: Themes of Immigration and Tragedy

A View from The Bridge: Themes of Immigration and Tragedy

• Categories: A View From The Bridge Arthur Miller

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Published: Sep 7, 2023

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The immigrant experience, family and betrayal, justice and tragedy, relevance and impact.

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The Scribe Review

Eddie Carbone as Tragic Hero: A View from the Bridge

By stephan vorreiter.

Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge attempts to incorporate themes and traditions that reflect the era in which it was written in to create a modern and relevant Greek tragedy of an everyday man. The playwright has therefore presented the central character, a hard-working longshoreman in Red Hook named Eddie Carbone, as a ‘tragic hero’. Traditionally, a tragic hero possesses nobility and desirable qualities, however his actions and behaviour throughout the play reveal his fatal flaw, ultimately leading to the reversal of his fortune and his downfall. A View from the Bridge largely conforms to these standards, though centrally challenges the quintessential ideals of Greek tragedies

Hamartia is present in all traditional Greek tragedies, therefore the notion of a fatal flaw (and consequently, a downfall) is part of Eddie’s innate character in multiple ways. Explicitly, his fondness for Catherine exemplifies his flaw. He refers to his niece as “Madonna”, exhibiting his interest. This allusion connotes purity, innocence and uniqueness – in the playwright’s era, it also symbolised the Virgin Mary. In viewers of the play, this primarily creates an unsettling feeling, as this conversation takes place in the beginning where many, including the characters, do not understand the full extent of Eddie’s affection. Miller therefore appropriately establishes hamartia and thus presages Eddie’s downfall. In connection with “Madonna”, the protagonist frequently uses “heh” in a mocking tone, to suggest overconfidence and masculinity when talking to Catherine, which is, in part, aided by her behaviour to Eddie due to his respected stature (explored in further sections). Miller’s stage directions show Eddie’s behaviour overtly. When he is hugged ‘He is af ected by her but smiles his emotion away.’ This once more reinforces his deep love as he is “af ected”, but also shows his attempt to be masculine, therefore “smiles his emotion away”. Miller’s careful placement of stage directions creates irony because Eddie’s emotions will be his downfall and “away” is only temporary, another act of foreshadowing. Ultimately, the audience can infer, from the beginning, that Eddie’s relationship with Catherine will be interrogated with the addition of two new male characters. Like most tragic heroes, Eddie Carbone possesses fatal flaws that are due to his uncontrollable emotions.

Another means by which the playwright shows the protagonist experiencing hamartia is through his denial and self-interest. Towards the end of Act 2, Eddie is directly confronted with reality as he “...can never have her!”. The playwright aptly uses the accusatory tone of the exclamation to highlight “never”, emphasising that Catherine is not within his reach. His response exhibits anger, as his “fists clench[ing]”, and denial because he would never “...have such a thought?”. There is a moment of uncertainty through the questioning and the fact that he is “shocked” hints that he is aware of this truth. Nonetheless anger, a negative by-product of Carbone’s masculinity, subdues such feeling. Evidently, the concealing of emotions suggest an almost narcissistic behaviour. Eddie’s denial is strengthened by his self-interest and obsession. Criticism of others is therefore an intrinsic part of the protagonist which is put on display when he thinks his niece’s skirt “...[its] too short...”. The following “ain’t it?” is a testament to his denunciation – a psychological justification for his action – once more allowing audience members to glimpse inside the troubled, yet forthright, mind of Eddie Carbone. In essence, Eddie Carbone’s self- interest and denial are his fatal flaw, however, in the end, also underpin Alfieri’s statement and Eddie’s favourable qualities as he was for “himself purely” and allowed himself to be “wholly known”. Most tragic heroes have an obsession (like power, domination, inflicting pain on others, death...) that cloud their perception. In A View from the Bridge, the tragic hero’s self-interest, affection and denial lead him to his demise.

Through Eddie’s respected stature in the community, the playwright effectively interweaves another key aspect of Greek tragedies, while staying true to the modern significance of A View from the Bridge. The distinct structure of the play aids in accompanying the gradual degradation of his respect. In Act 1, members of the community admire and appreciate the risk that he accepts when taking in two “submarines”, therefore he has “gotta lot of credit comin’ to [him].” The respect he gains from doing something illegal is of great importance in his community. Nonetheless, Eddie’s quandary is that between culture (Italy) and the law (America). Seemingly , Eddie knows the rules of the community. On the other hand, the protagonist’s need to be fully American, and the current McCarthyism in the US during the writing of the play, ultimately lead him to commit actions morally wrong in the community yet legally right. “Credit” is what Eddie wants, although it becomes obvious that he cannot accept such recognition due to his fatal flaw; he becomes “troubled” when Louis and Mike express their positive feelings towards Rodolpho. However, ultimately, Eddie gains the respect of Rodolpho, as when he is asked to dance with Catherine, he responds “in deference to Eddie”. Due to his affection to Catherine, her behaviour towards him and his ‘fatherly’ characteristics, he successfully controls his niece’s view of the world, her respect. When told the story about Vinny Bolzano, Catherine “...wont’ say a word to nobody...” This reflects and reassures Eddie’s previous statement that she should not “trust nobody”, however should “believe [me]” him. The irony of these assertions that Miller creates through direct language mirror the power Eddie has in the beginning of the play – he can manipulate views (to suit his own) yet is still able to inject the trust of others into himself. This was most likely inspired by Miller’s own experiences working in lower class areas of Brooklyn where the concept of community is integral, especially within Italian American municipalities. Through this distinct social structure, the audience can assume, in accompaniment with the constant foreshadowing, that conflict will break out in the second act, the protagonist’s stature will be subverted, he will be faced with reality and, eventually, he will die. All these aspects compliment the standard of a Greek tragedy and the course of downfall of a tragic hero.

This raises another interesting point of the play through which the protagonist is able to thrive and present himself as a “tragic hero” – community. A View From the Bridge is primarily told through the view of a family in the neighbourhood of Red Hook, reflected by the set which is at a singular location (typical for Greek tragedies). The restricted perspective metaphorically reflect Eddie’s clouded perception and naivety, enabling the audience to see his traits viscerally and truthfully, although from behind the curtain of his hamartia. Arthur Miller creates relief and a wider view of the situation through the character of Alfieri, who comments on Eddie’s actions. Alfieri is a modern iteration of the traditional Greek chorus and accompanies the audience throughout the play as an observant and wise spirit. He expresses what Eddie cannot say – the “...trouble that would not go away.” – in pragmatic and insightful ways, attempting to also lead Eddie away from his downfall. Nonetheless, he is aware that he is “powerless”. The title of the play, A View from the Bridge, reinforces Alfieri’s position and creates contrast in connection with Eddie: “View” suggests the role that the audience and Alfieri have in the play, while “Bridge” remarks relationships, setting (the Brooklyn Bridge) and connections. Alfieri has a wider “view” of the area due to his experience in culture and the law and distance to the conflict. In contrast, Beatrice comprehends the dispute slower as she has direct involvement and also hesitates to admit Eddie’s misconduct due to his respected stature. The audience has a similar position to that of Alfieri as they are able to see the happenings from multiple viewpoints. Arthur Miller exposes the life of a family, giving members of the audience a glimpse into the privacy of households besides their own. In the end, this private tragedy is determined on the streets of an interwoven community, highlighting another integral part of Eddie Carbone being presented as a tragic hero – his downfall was indirectly his own fault because he subverted culture and community trust. When Marco “pressed [the knife] home”, Eddie was still holding onto it, symbolising the notion that he himself was responsible for his death. The consoling word “home” connotes the freedom of the community because, in order to improve it, his death was required. However, it also hints the liberty Eddie receives. His death shifted the anger and violence onto his cause of death, Marco, leaving him with the role of a victim. In a way, this replenishes Eddie’s hubris as the community can see justification in the protagonist’s need to betray culture and family. Through this, catharsis is established and thus empathy as the punishment was not wholly deserved, like in many Greek tragedies. Without community, the protagonist would not be able to exert his dominance (and through it his flaws), gain self- knowledge and awareness and ultimately, not be presented as a ‘tragic hero’ due to the absence of a suitable setting, other characters and a genuine community.

In the end however, the protagonist gains self-knowledge and completes his journey with a final solemn discovery. Eddie is aware of his fate in his final line “My B.!”. “My” indicates possession and loss concurrently and “B.!” expresses his final love for his true wife Beatrice. This last outcry of regret and hopefulness once more establish Eddie as a tragic hero as, even though the event arouses solemn emotion, it also offers catharsis and the audience is confronted with an understandable and genuine Eddie Carbone, strengthening any sympathy the audience would have for the failed hero. Nonetheless, this “bloody” happening is no surprise to viewers as it was foreshadowed in the beginning that the play would “...run its bloody course.”. This

therefore brings the final essential aspect that makes A View From the Bridge a Greek tragedy and its protagonist a tragic hero to the surface – the play was always about how Eddie Carbone would fall, rather than the possibility of it. Yet, Eddie is not fully a tragic hero. Quintessentially, Miller challenges nobility and wealth, characteristics that tragic heroes traditionally possess, in the protagonist of the play. Eddie Carbone is a longshoreman of little material wealth, contrary to other tragic heroes. The playwright therefore brilliantly establishes a connection between character and audience, complimenting Miller’s wish of writing a Greek tragedy that appeals to the everyday man. Although wealth usually accentuates the downfall of the tragic hero in Greek tragedies, the integral role that community plays in A View From the Bridge achieves a similar, if not greater, sense of loss in Eddie Carbone’s demise. Arthur Miller deviates from traditional tragic heroes in another way. Eddie allowed himself to be “wholly known”, a favourable quality. Alfieri hints however that this was also “perversely pure” and that such exposure was “not purely good”. It can be said that, in a way, the protagonist’s positive attributes reflect and influence his hamartia. This subversion is entirely different from traditional tragic heroes who have explicitly separate and distinct qualities. Once more, Arthur Miller exhibits human emotion and behaviour in a genuine and complex manner, paralleling a true and realistic human being. In conclusion, A View From the Bridge attempts to highlight the importance of balancing individual needs and desires with those of the wider community. Still implicitly, Arthur Miller, through the presentation of Eddie Carbone, emphasises that downfall or degradation can happen to anyone, not exclusively to the wealthy, and that one’s zealous attributes can contribute to their demise.

A View from the Bridge

Arthur miller, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

A View from the Bridge: Introduction

A view from the bridge: plot summary, a view from the bridge: detailed summary & analysis, a view from the bridge: themes, a view from the bridge: quotes, a view from the bridge: characters, a view from the bridge: symbols, a view from the bridge: theme wheel, brief biography of arthur miller.

Historical Context of A View from the Bridge

Other books related to a view from the bridge.

• Full Title: A View from the Bridge
• When Written: 1955
• Where Written: Roxbury, Connecticut
• When Published: 1955
• Literary Period: Realism
• Genre: Drama
• Setting: Red Hook, Brooklyn, in the 1950s
• Climax: There are in effect two climaxes. Eddie’s conflicting desires come to a climax when he grabs Catherine and kisses her in front of Rodolpho, and then immediately kisses Rodolpho in front of Catherine. But the matters of personal honor and justice come to a head at the end of the play, when Marco and Eddie confront each other and fight, and Marco ends up killing Eddie.
• Antagonist: Eddie is the antagonist to most of the other characters and even to himself, as he is harmed by his own confused desires and behavior.

Extra Credit for A View from the Bridge

Two Acts. Miller originally wrote A View from the Bridge as a one-act play, and the production was not very popular. After this, Miller revised the play, adding a second act, and it is this more successful version that most contemporary readers and audiences know.

Miss Innes' Revision Resources

Higher critical essay-a view from the bridge.

Your critical essay is worth 20% of your overall grade at Higher, and is part of your hr and a half long critical reading paper, alongside the textual analysis.

Try to dedicate more time to writing your essay than your textual analysis-if you have revised properly, the textual analysis should not take you more than 40 mins.

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• Go to DRAMA section of Qs-if you answer on the wrong genre, you won’t pass!
• Read the Q carefully and choose wisely based on what you have revised and practised in class before-if you don’t understand the Q, answer on a different one!
• Use the structures recommended for introduction (TASTE), main paragraphs (PCQEL) and conclusion (SERVE)-notes provided in Essay Writing 101 materials

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A View From the Bridge Arthur Miller

A View from the Bridge literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller.

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A View From the Bridge Essays

Conflicted domesticity: a character study of beatrice in 'a view from the bridge' anonymous 12th grade, a view from the bridge.

Beatrice is a central character in Miller’s “A View from the Bridge”. In terms of theme and significance, she acts as the glue that holds the family together and she represents the struggles of a claustrophobic domestic environment. She is shrewd...

Deconstructing Alfieri’s Speech Anonymous 12th Grade

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“Alfieri’s commentary gives a depth and complexity to what might otherwise have bean a sordid and uninteresting story.” Rebecca Howden

Alfieri’s commentary on the action of the play is integral to Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge, communicating directly to the audience and presenting the events from a more impartial and credible perspective, forcing the viewer to consider...

“Ultimately, the tragedy of a View From the Bridge is the inability of the main characters to articulate their feelings.” Rebecca Howden

In Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge, Eddie’s death is made all the more tragic because it stems from his inability to understand – let alone articulate – his feelings. The play depicts the downfall and death of a decent man due to a fatal...

“A View From the Bridge explores the difficulties migrants face in adapting to a new culture.” Rebecca Howden

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American Identity in Roth and Miller Anonymous 12th Grade

In American Pastoral and A View From the Bridge, Philip Roth and Arthur Miller respectively present family life as a tense realm of activity where relationship ties are easily stretched and broken. By setting their novels in Rimrock, New Jersey,...

Clarity, Perspective, and Tragedy in A View from the Bridge Anonymous 11th Grade

Arthur Miller wrote A View from the Bridge , a work set in the late 1940s, as he became interested in the Italian immigration at the Brooklyn docks. Fascinated by the life of Pete Panto, a longshoreman who challenged the work of the Mafia, Miller...

The Balance of Power in A View from the Bridge and The Lion and the Jewel Anita Hill 12th Grade

Many plays use the balance of power as a theme to drive the plot forward and to define their characters. In A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, the patriarchal figure of Eddie becomes a tragic hero through his loss of power and reaction to...

A Comparison of the Openings of A Streetcar Named Desire and A View from the Bridge Anita Hill 12th Grade

The opening of a play is naturally one of its most important parts, serving as an introduction to its setting, characters and themes; the best openings also encapsulate both the intentions and style of the playwright. In A Streetcar Named Desire ,...

Fixed Gender Roles and Gender Tensions in A View from the Bridge Jack Springate 10th Grade

A View From the Bridge was set in the 1950s and reflects how men and women had set roles in society. Men, in the case of Eddie and Marco, are the breadwinners and paterfamilias of the family. Whilst on the other hand women should be demure,...

How is the theme of "Love" portrayed in the play? Anonymous 11th Grade

Love serves as a crucial element in "A View from the Bridge", and is arguably the main force which drives the events of the play. Undoubtedly, the inappropriate love of Eddie towards his niece, Catherine, and his unwillingness to let her mature...

Go back to the Miller page for more texts and other resources.

Tragedy in A View from the Bridge

Argues that plays are structured so that the resolution of conflict appears as a “natural” or inevitable consequence of the moral and ethical concerns raised in the play.

In A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, the downfall of Eddie Carbone is the inevitable consequence of the moral and ethical concerns raised in the play. The structure of the play makes Eddie?s tragic downfall obvious, with the use of structural tragic elements and foreshadows showing to the audience that Eddies downfall is certain. Eddie?s opposition with insurmountable obstacles such as trying to overcome the dichotomy between law and justice and his attempts to impose ?old world? values in a modern and progressive American culture are doomed to failure. His inability to compromise and his refusal to admit his mistakes brings about his defeat at the end of the play, the resolution of conflict appearing as the ?natural? consequence to the audience. The conflict between European ?old world? values with modern American values is an obstacle that Eddie cannot overcome, largely as a result of his inability to compromise. The old world values that Eddie strives to enforce in his life primarily manifest themselves in his over-protectiveness of Catherine. His feelings for her spark his crusade to enforce his traditional Italian values in a culture that embraces freedom, materialism and independence rather than the old values regarding courtship and ?proper? behavior. Eddie cannot enforce these values, and the futility in trying to do so is seen clearly in the conflicts that Eddie has with both Catherine and Rodolpho. He admonishes Catherine for ?walkin? wavy? telling her she is the ?Madonna type?: trying to impose traditional values of chastity and modesty in a modern culture where short skirts and high heels are ?the style now? and flaunting femininity and sexuality is not frowned upon. His conflict with Rodolpho also shows Eddie?s disapproval of modern values, criticising Rodolpho for his carefree attitude to life, spending his pay on ?a snappy new jacket? records, a pointy pair new shoes?. Eddie?s determination to impose his traditional values on youths immersed in American culture and modern values is doomed to failure as his attitudes are shown to be backward and inappropriate and will never be accepted. Eddie?s refusal to compromise and inability to see truth in any opinion but his own leads to a conflict that can only be resolved by his downfall. Eddie?s inappropriate feelings for Catharine are a further obstacle to compromise and facilitate his determination to quash the love between Rodolpho and Catherine, as Eddie is fuelled by feelings of jealousy. His wife Beatrice realises this and says ?You want somethin? else, Eddie, and you can never have her!? Eddies determination is fixated on an impossible and unrealistic goal: to keep Catherine in the role that he has envisioned for her, determined to keep her purity and innocence in his role for her as a ?Madonna?, never counting on the fact that she ?would ever grow up?. Eddie clearly has inappropriate feelings for Catherine as he is reluctant to let her gain her independence by taking a job, and criticises her for flaunting her sexuality by wearing high heels and short skirts. Eddie ?enveloping? Catherine with his eyes is an inappropriate gesture suggesting that his interest in her is more than paternal. Such feelings are also evident with Eddie?s jealousy of the love between Rodolpho and Catherine. He regards Rodolpho with ?concealed suspicion?, taking an immediate dislike to him as Catherine makes it clear that she likes him, exclaiming that he is ?practically blond? and attracted to his good looks and light-heated manner. Beatrice realises Eddie?s jealousy of Rodolpho straight away, saying ?you?re just jealous? as Eddie starts his criticisms of Rodolpho, saying he gives him the ?heebie-jeebies? and ?he?s like a chorus girl or something?. In Eddie?s determination to keep Catherine and Rodolpho apart, he constantly criticises Rodolpho. Eddie is keen to find any excuse to try and tear Rodolpho and Catherine apart, accusing Rodolpho of being ?a weird? and then claiming that he is ?lookin? for his break?, using Catherine to get his American citizenship. Ironically, Eddie?s efforts to keep the couple apart only bring them closer together and serve to ostracize himself from Catherine. His criticisms bring him further away from the conclusion that he hopes for. As Eddie refuses to compromise in a situation where his desired outcome is not possible, it is inevitable that a resolution of conflict will only be brought about by the death of Eddie. A View from the Bridge displays tragic elements that add to the tone of inevitability evident throughout the play. Eddie is a modern tragic hero: an ordinary individual whose wish for Catherine not to marry Rodolpho is so intense that he is willing to give up everything else in the pursuit of his convictions. He is ?not purely good, but himself purely? as his beliefs are not perfect, but he is determined to stick by them. Eddie shows the characteristics of the tragic hero as he is of high moral worth but is unmistakably human: he is vulnerable as his pride leads to an error of judgement in regards to Rodolpho. His jealousy of Rodolpho leads him to deceive himself in thinking that Rodolpho ?is not right? and that he is intent on exploiting Catherine?s love for him to gain his American citizenship. Eddie remains the hero of the play rather than being perceived by the audience as a villain as his moral nobility and the dogged determination to pursue his convictions is admirable and he moves the audience to pity as his misfortune is greater than deserved. His refusal to compromise is a heroic quality, but is this flaw which leads to his downfall as he will not ?swallow his pride? and ?settle for half?. The use of Alfieri as the chorus is another tragic element used in the play. Alfieri responds to the action and sets the mood for A View from the Bridge. Being a lawyer, Alfieri is able to give the audience interpretations of the action that cannot be formulated by Eddie?s uneducated group and is able to articulate and explore the ironies and ambiguities of the situation. In this position, Alfieri plays a large part in setting the tone of inevitability through the use of foreshadows. Alfieri introduces himself as a lawyer ?thought of in connexion with disasters? and the play is introduced with Alfieri watching the action ?run its bloody course?, and in doing so makes it immediately clear that the resolution of conflict will only be brought about by an act of violence. Alfieri knows that Eddie?s misconceptions will lead him to tragedy and can do nothing despite the fact he has all the evidence before him. Alfieri?s feeling of powerlessness as he ?lost his strength somewhere? and ?could see every step coming,? adds to the tone of inevitability as the resolution of conflict is predetermined, and nothing can stop the events from running their course. The use of foreshadow is a powerful structural element of A View from the Bridge, making the downfall of Eddie seem to be an inevitable consequence to the conflicts that his actions precipitate. While Alfieri?s comments to the audience use foreshadow to indicate the certainty of Eddie?s downfall to the audience, action in the play also indicates future events. Eddie?s destruction at the hands of Marco is made certain in the chair lifting scene where Marco raises the chair ?like a weapon? over Eddie, warning Eddie against threatening Rodolpho with a show of strength. This establishes Marco as a threat to Eddie as such a show of strength represents masculinity, proving that Marco is more of a ?man? than Eddie and has the power to defeat him. Eddie?s determination to sacrifice everything in his efforts to tear Rodolpho and Catherine apart alienates Eddie from those around him. Eddie stops at nothing in the pursuit of his convictions and in doing so distances himself from those he most loves. His close relationship with Catherine is destroyed by Eddie?s endless criticisms of Rodolpho. Eddie?s efforts to discredit Rodolpho isolate him from Catherine and also force Catherine to become independent from Eddie and make her own decisions, saying ?I think I can?t stay here no more? I?m not gonna be a baby any more!? Eddie?s continued resistance against Catherine?s marriage turns him away from her completely as Catherine comes to think of Eddie as a ?rat? who ?comes when nobody?s lookin? and poisons decent people?. Eddie?s relationship with his wife also becomes tenuous, as Beatrice is anxious for Catherine to gain her independence while Eddie is striving for her to remain a ?baby? under his influence. This creates a lot of tension between them, aggravated by the fact that Eddie expects Beatrice to ?believe? him, saying ?If I tell you that guy ain?t right don?t tell me he is right?. Beatrice?s resistance to Eddie?s claims about Rodolpho leads Eddie to think he has lost his ?respect?. Eddie deludes himself into thinking that Rodolpho ?ain?t right? to justify his efforts to discredit him in front of Catherine and does not care about the effect this has on his marriage. Ironically, it is only at the end when Eddie comes to the realisation that it is Beatrice and not Catherine who is most important in his life. Eddie proves that he will stop at nothing to try and keep Rodolpho and Catherine apart when he ?snitches? on Marco and Rodolpho to Immigration. Eddie secures his own downfall when he rings Immigration as the backlash from the community for such an act is bound to end in the act of violence that is suggested by Alfieri in the beginning of the play as the events will run their ?bloody course?. Early in the play, Eddie describes the fate of Vinny Bolzano who ?snitched to Immigration? on his uncle and was ousted by the community, ostracized for the rest of his life and regarded with scorn and contempt. A similar fate is inevitable for Eddie, who is prepared to give up his status in the community to make Rodolpho go back to Italy, as he sees that as the only option available to him. By ringing Immigration, Eddie?s downfall is secured as Marco is set against Eddie, spitting into Eddie?s face and calling him an ?animal? and the killer of his children. However, it is Eddie?s refusal to admit his mistakes and to admit that he disgraced his name by ringing Immigration that brings about the final confrontation between Eddie and Marco. Marco wants retribution against Eddie for forcing him to go back to Italy, ruining his families chances of ever escaping poverty. Again, Eddie is seeking the impossible: to ?get his name? and dignity from an apology from Marco, when it was Eddie who relinquished his own dignity in the pursuit of his unfortunate convictions. While it is Marco that kills Eddie, it is the knife that Eddie drew that is the instrument for his death, signifying self-destruction. It is this self-destruction that is evident throughout the play as Eddie?s downfall is brought about through his own failings and mistakes, rather than the mistakes of others having an impact on him. In A View from the Bridge it is made evident that American law is not consistent with justice as Eddie?s destruction is aided by the American system of law, his downfall signifying an inadequacy in the legal system. Alfieri is only too aware or the inadequacy of the law, saying, ?Only God makes justice?. The dichotomy existing between law and justice is highlighted by Eddie?s actions of calling Immigration, the only legal solution open to him to get rid of Rodolpho. However, it is this legal solution that conflicts with the moral codes that Eddie abides by. Eddie is able to use the law to try and put an end to a situation, which he only sees as being unjust as ?morally and legally? he has no rights in regards to his efforts to separate Catherine and Rodolpho. In abandoning his moral code to ring Immigration, Eddie brings about his own destruction by Marco, who lives by a traditional moral code and is adamant to bring about justice, whatever the cost. Like Eddie, Marco does not know the meaning of compromise, as he feels obligated to kill Eddie for what he has done. The law proves to be totally incapable of handling a situation where the pursuit for justice is more important than upholding the law, and breaking the law to obtain justice seems insignificant. It is in this situation where the death of Eddie by Marco is made inevitable, as Marco is intent on upholding justice rather than law. The resolution of conflict brought about by the downfall of Eddie Carbone in A View from the Bridge is seen to be the inevitable consequence of the moral and ethical issues raised in the play. Old world values are shown to be inappropriate in American society, and Eddie?s attempts to enforce his old fashioned morals is doomed to failure, leading to an unfortunate conclusion as Eddie lacks the ability to compromise. Eddie?s inappropriate feelings towards Catharine act as a further barrier to compromise, facilitating his determination to try and tear Catharine and Rodolpho apart. Tragic elements also add to the tone of inevitability with the use of foreshadows the use of Alfieri as the chorus and Eddie as the tragic hero, with his vulnerability and misconceptions leading him to self-destruction. His dogged attempts to humiliate Rodolpho before Catherine alienate Eddie from those he most loves, and in ?snitching? to Immigration Eddie ostracizes himself from the whole community. Eddie cannot overcome the insurmountable obstacles that stand in the path for him to enforce his views on those around him, and the impossibility of realising his convictions lead to Eddie?s death, as the resolution of conflict in such a situation can only result from Eddie?s downfall.

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Critical Analysis of "A View From The Bridge" by Arthur Miller Under The Theme of 'Relationships'

This paper analyses Arthur Miller's play "A View From The Bridge" under the theme of 'relationships'. The paper does so by highlighting the relationship of the main character - Eddie Carbone - with other characters.

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