"A View From The Bridge" Flashcards
“What do you want me to do? You want me to-“
This highlights that Catherine is looking for Eddie’s approval. She always hangs on his every word and listens to what he says.
“Katie, you are walkin’ wavy! I don’t like the looks they’re givin’ you in the candy store”
Eddie is very protective over Catherine and hates the thought of anybody looking at Catherine.
“(Enthralled) leave him finish, it’s beautiful. He’s terrific! It’s terrific Rodolfo.”
Catherine is attracted to Rodolfo as soon as she sees him. This makes me think Catherine instantly shows a particular interest in Rodolfo. She is impressed and blown away by his singing.
“(He is coming more and more to address Marco only)”
Eddie doesn’t like Rodolfo from the beginning and finds him loud.Eddie tries to cut Rodolfo out of the conversation.
“(Rushing to Rodolfo) Eddie!”
This highlights Catherine’s changing loyalties. She rushes to Rodolfo’s side when he is hit, NOT To Eddie.
“And he transforms what might appear like a glare of warning into a smile of triumph”
Marco is displaying his loyalty to Rodolfo by sticking up for him.This makes me think Marco is issuing Eddie with a warning, not to undermine or make a fool of his family. Marco is showing his dominance. He is making a statement to Eddie that although Eddie may think he is in charge, Marco could over-rule Eddie.
Eddie meets with Alfieri to discuss his concerns. Eddie’s: “eyes were like tunnels”
This highlights Eddie’s mood and state of mind. He is determined and feels as though he is trapped with no way out/happy ending.
“Oh, Jesus, no, I wouldn’t do nothin’ about that”
This highlights the strength of the sense of loyalty in the community. Even as a last resort, Eddie is horrified at this suggestion and immediately dismisses it.
“And they spit on him in the street, his own father and his brothers. The whole neighbourhood was crying”
This issue was very serious for the community. Nobody would speak to vinny after he “snitched”. It is important to the community to be loyal. He is alienated, ostracised, exiled.
“Come inside. Come. (He is leading her toward the bedrooms.)”
This also highlights Catherine’s changing loyalty as she would never have done anything without Eddie’s approval before but now with Rodolfo she is becoming independent and making decisions for herself.
“Reaches out suddenly, draws her to him, and as she strives to free herself he kisses her on the mouth”
“Eddie pins his arms, laughing and suddenly kisses him.”
Eddie is furious when he comes home and finds Catherine and Rodolfo in the bedroom together. He tells Rodolfo to leave before kissing both Catherine and Rodolfo to test their loyalty to each other.
“He didn’t give me the right kind of fight, I know it, Mr Alfieri, the guy ain’t right.”
Eddie is questioning Rodolfo’s masculinity an attempt to vilify Rodolfo and destroy his relationship with Catherine. He is insanely jealous of Rodolfo and will do anything to try and break Rodolfo and Catherine apart.
“(He dials.) I want to report something. Illegal immigrants.”
Eddie’s desperation to hold onto Catherine and be loyal to his own feelings pushes him to break his loyalty to his community by phoning immigration. Eddie has become a “snitch” which could have serious consequences.
“Spits into Eddie’s face”
“That one! I accuse that one!”
Marco very publicly accuses and disrespects Eddie. Eddie is furious that his name has been taken from him and he wants an apology. The community all leave and turn their back on Eddie. He is now an outcast. None of the community want anything to do with him.
“Eddie lunges with the knife. Marco grabs his arm, turning the blade inward and pressing it home”
Eddie is tragically killed with his own knife which is ironic. Eddie is staying loyal to himself and is not willing to compromise in any way. This is symbolic as it was Eddie’s own actions in the play that caused his death. Eddie didn’t have to die, he is killed due to his own personality traits (headstrong,stubbornness)
