A View From the Bridge: Act 1 tasks and questions.

Interlude – Alfieri p.15

What is the dramatic importance of this?
Alfieri announces the arrival of the two cousins through his speech, the dramatic importance of this is that
the audience understands and knows what the cousins roles are when they enter the stage. Also Alfieri
gives some background information about the cousins and the reason of immigrating to America from
Italy.

Episode 3 p.22-23
How do the dialogue and stage directions show the different responses Eddie and Beatrice have to
Rodolfo?
2. In the dialogue the stage directions shows different reactions to Rodolfo arriving in Red Hook.
Eddie is trying to be welcoming and he “[strives] to laugh” even though he doesn’t really enjoy having
them here. In the speech Eddie is suggesting that Rodolfo is a homosexual, he refers to Rodolfo as “Paper
doll” and comments on Rodolfo has “wacky hair, [and looks] like a chorus girl or sump’m”. Catherine on
the other hand is treating Rodolfo different; she shows a kind and in-some-way flirtatious manner towards
Rodolfo.

What is significant about Beatrice’s line “Ah, go on, you’re just jealous.”
3. The line that Beatrice’s says: “ Ah, go on, you’re just jealous’ is very significant due to the fact
that it is foreshadowing and the reaction of Eddie when he got told this was quite important.

What is revealed about their marriage? Which lines show this?

4. The relationship between Beatrice and Eddie is not that well; even though they are wedded the
attitude towards each other is not a loving as they were before. Beatrice Reinforces the fact that Eddie is
being distant to her when she says: “ when am I gonna a be your wife again, Eddie?”

Discuss how the stage directions reinforce Eddie’s unnatural interest in Catherine.
5. The stage directions in the dialogue between Eddie, Rodolfo and Catherine show that Eddie’s has
an unnatural interest in Catherine. “(He can’t help smiling at the sight of her)” when Catherine enters and
Eddie responds by “(his smile goes)” when Catherine says that she like Rodolfo.

Which speech from Beatrice draws the most sympathy from the audience? Why?
8. When Beatrice says that “ you think I’m jealous of you, honey?” the audience feels sorry for B.
mainly because Eddie is caring for Catherine who is his Niece, while he does not care for his wife
Beatrice.

Interlude and Episode 4 p. 31 – 35

In what way does Alfieri’s narration now connect with the time line of actual events?
1. Alfieri’s narration now connects with the time line of the actual events of the story when he has a
conversation with Eddie discussing the matters of Catherine and Rodolfo.

Alfieri refers frequently to “ the law”. Find examples and explain what Alfieri is trying to advise
Eddie about. How does this link to the idea of different types of justice and law?
4. Alfieri frequently refers to the law mainly because that is what Alfieri’s role is in the story.
Alfieri is trying to advise Eddie that “the law is vey specific…the law does not…you have no recourse in
the law” basically saying to Eddie that he cannot do anything to prevent Catherine for growing up or
finding someone she likes.

What does Alfieri try to get Eddie to recognize about himself (p. 34)?
5. Alfieri is trying to tell Eddie that “ there’s too much, and it goes where it mustn’t… there is too
much love for the niece”, Alfieri wants Eddie to come recognize that Eddie has to let go of Catherine and
that he love and protects her from the real world too much.

Which line spoken by A.  On p. 35 reveals the crux of Eddie’s problem and the centre of the
conflict?
7. “ She can’t marry you can she?” this line shows that Eddie in fact loves Catherine more than
being his niece. He wants Catherine for himself and not for anyone else (Rodolfo) and he doesn’t want
her to be happy with anyone else which keeps him from being happy with his wife.

Interlude and Episode 5 p. 35 – 42

Explain the simile he uses: “ like a dark figure walking down the hall toward a certain door”.
2. Alfieri uses it to describe what would happen if Eddie were to pursue his happiness with
Catherine. It foreshadows what is going to happen to Eddie. In this simile Eddie is referred to the dark
figure, which symbolizes tragedies and misfortune and also link with Eddie being a “figure” (or tragic
hero).

Discuss how the action begins to dominate the dialogue in this episode as we move to the
climactic close of the act. Give examples from the stage directions and comment on their
symbolic meaning (the dancing/newspaper/boxing/chair).
3. The action begins to takeover the episode, as there is a lot more action than in previous episodes.
For example, there are a lot more stage directions related to actions such as 'sit', 'rise', 'reading', 'paces up
and down', etc. This shows that there is a lot more movement and action than in the previous episodes and
adds to the effect that the lines have, especially in the area of emotion. For example, if a character is
frustrated, they could be 'pacing up and down' to convey the idea to the audience that they are frustrated
about something. Another thing which shows frustration or anger is what Eddie does; he is 'unconsciously
twisting the newspaper into a tight roll', which suggests and adds to the effect of showing his frustration
and anger. The use of 'unconsciously' shows that he is unable to control his actions, suggesting that there
are very strong emotions behind his words and actions, which he is restraining. The use of showing
Catherine and Rodolfo dancing suggests that they are in love with each other, as dancing with a partner
generally shows that they are engaged. The boxing between Eddie and Rodolfo also signifies that Eddie
feels anger towards Rodolfo, as fighting could be seen as a way of relieving stress caused by that person.

How does the climax of Act 1 reconfigure key relationships in the play?
4. This climax changes the relationships between each of the characters in the story. Rodolfo has a
thing for Catherine, which is fine until Eddie becomes more aware of Catherine and starts too care for her
too much and therefore becoming more distant with Beatrice. Beatrice on the other hand still loves Eddie
but now her kindness to Catherine has changed because she is jealous of Catherine when Eddie seems to
care for her, she is still good with Rodolfo and is agreeing for Catherine and Rodolfo because she wants
Catherine to grow up. Marco is being protective for Rodolfo and is fine with every one but Eddie.

What does it tell us about Marco? Crucially, what idea does it set in the audience’s mind about
Marco and Eddie that foreshadows how their relationship will evolve?
7. It tells us that Marco is a character that stays in the background but when it comes to his friends or
family he will protect them and he places them first in his mind. This idea is reinforced when the audience
hears Marco talk about his family as “ he smiles shyly” when he talks about his wife. This to the audience
means that he is man with principals, which he would keep to. As a reader, one would feel that Marco and
Eddie are started off on the right track but as the play develops and as Eddie shows his discomfort of
Rodolfo, Marco is getting protective of himself. It seems as if Marco and Eddie could easily be enemies if
Eddie keeps on provoking Marco seeing as Marco is a well-built man.

End of Act 1

Interlude and Episode 6 p. 43 – 48

Explain how A. sets the scene for what is to come and this continues to focus on the central
conflict. (This is why he is often regarded as taking the role of a Greek Chorus)
2. Alfieri starts the scene with a discourse marker, giving the audience a time when the act is at. He
begins with mentioning that” a case of scotch whisky slipped from a net while being unloaded” it is
foreshadowing the fact that Eddie might have taken the scotch. Which might leave the reader curious of
what to come in the next act.

This episode reinforces R.’s need to live the American dream. Explain how.
5. The Rodolfo in this episode has made his mind up about being with Catherine. Catherine tells him that
she wants to move to Italy with Rodolfo and live with the beautiful scenery and life. Rodolfo tells her that
he doesn’t want to go back because he thinks that they will be poor and the will be hungry because there
are not much jobs available in Italy.  The line “I want you to be my wife, and I want to be a citizen”
shows Rodolfo’s honesty, another line is when Rodolfo compares Italy with America “ I didn’t love just
to be an American? It’s so wonderful? You think we have no tall buildings in Italy? Electric lights? No
wide streets, No flags? No automobiles? Only work we don’t have.” He only wants to live in America
mainly because there is no work in Italy for him. He then later says, “[he] wants to be an American so
[he] can work.”

What is the dramatic effect of R. repeating the word” Nothing”?

6. The effect of Rodolfo repeating nothing enhances the fact that there are no jobs in Italy available. 
He mentions how he couldn’t bring food to Catherine is he lived there. He doesn’t want Catherine to go to
Italy and starve and have no occupation, he wants them to have a steady and good income life in America.

What does C. suspect is at the root of Eddie’s anger? How is her naivety and vulnerability
shown (p. 46)?
9.  Catherine suspects that sometimes Eddie is ‘blue in his mind’. Her Vulnerability is shown when
she says “I can tell when he’s hungry or wants a beer before he even says anything. I know when his feet
hurt him, I mean I know him and now I’m supposed to turn around and make a stranger out of him?”  The
audience can see that she does have some feelings for Eddie, because he has raised her up. She is
reminiscing about the times they had together. She only loves Eddie as a bigger brother or father not like
the same way Eddie does.

What is the relevance of the stage direction “ Catherine enters…her dress.”?

11. The relevance is that when Catherine enters the room and Eddie is there, he realizes that
Catherine might have been sleeping with Rodolfo when he comes out as well. “Under his gaze she adjusts
her dress” this emphasizes and gives the audience an idea that Catherine and Rodolfo did do something.
The play writer writes “under his gaze” to show that Catherine doesn’t want Eddie to know about what
had just happen.

The kissing of both C and R is a powerful, dramatic moment. Explain fully its impact on the
characters. Consider also Eddie’s motivation in doing this.
14. When Eddie “reaches out suddenly, draws her to him, and as she strives to free herself he kisses her
on the mouth.” It shows that Eddie is now showing his true feelings for Catherine and he is now over
involved with her. He only wants her for himself, but he doesn’t realize that he has a wife and that
Catherine loves some one else.  Also when Eddie “ pins [Rodolfo’s] arms, laughing, and suddenly kisses
him.” It conveys that Eddie is trying to mock Rodolfo because before in the story Eddie accuses of
Rodolfo being a homosexual by saying various quotes like “ they call him paper doll” etc. The effect on
this to Rodolfo is that Rodolfo feels ashamed and leaves his confused. The reason for Eddie doing this is
not just only to mock Rodolfo, Eddie is drunk and upset the audiences don’t really know what Eddie
would do next.

Interlude and Episode 7 p. 48-49

What is symbolic about his references to the dark room and Eddie’s eyes being “like tunnels”?
2. Alfieri describe the day when Eddie comes to visit him and discuss some matters with him, he
realizes that his “that the room became dark when Eddie looked at [him]”. The symbolism in this is that
he feels that Eddie is not happy and he is empty. The reference that “his eyes were like tunnels”
emphasizes that Eddie is empty and that Eddie is irrational. The simile is also repeated when Eddie finds
out that Catherine like Rodolfo.

Why does Eddie regard the encounter with R as proof that he “ ain’t right”?
6. Eddie regards the encounter with Rodolfo as proof he “ain’t right” because that Eddie pinned
Rodolfo to the ground. He refers to a “mouse which can put up a fight” and compares it to Rodolfo that
can’t put up his own fight. He doesn’t want Catherine to go with someone who “gives [him] the right kind
of fight.”

What is the symbolic significance of the glow on the phone booth (examine both references on p.
49)?
7. The significance is that it foreshadows in way to what Eddie would do. The playwright describes
the phone and being “a faint, lonely blue” due to the fact that it is supposed to represent Eddie how he is
lonely now because Catherine has left him.  After Eddie left the phone is  “glowing in light now”
representing that the phone might be in use and Eddie is going to do something with includes it.

What is dramatically important about Alfieri following Eddie into the darkness, calling his
name?
8. The importance of this is that Alfieri wants to help Eddie and Alfieri is somewhat worried about
what Eddie would do, and he tries to tell Eddie that he must let Catherine go he repeats this idea to try to
get this vision stuck in Eddie’s mind.

Episode 8 top of p. 49-58

What is the impact on the audience when Eddie makes the call and we hear his first few words?
1. The impact on the audience is dramatic irony mainly because they know that the Immigrations
Bureau will find Marco and Rodolfo. The audience feels distrusting of Eddie because he is betraying his
family and he is doing this action because of his own selfishness.

What do the stage directions and dialogue on p. 50 reveal about Beatrice’s feelings? Why has
she responded in this way?
3. Beatrice feels slightly afraid of Eddie as he enters in. She “looks up at him, wear[y]… and
concealing a fear of him.” She reacts to Eddie in this manner because she knows that Eddie has just
announced or hinted that he actually loves Catherine. When Eddie asks, “Where is every body?” she
responds by not answering. The audience knows that she is not fond of Eddie and she feels betrayed.
When Eddie speaks to Beatrice he says, “Where’s Catherine? She up there?” Beatrice then says, “Look,
I’m sick and tried of it, I’m sick and tired of it!” This increases the idea that she (Beatrice) is not happy
with Eddie always caring and asking for Catherine.

Explain the dramatic irony and symbolism of Eddie’s words: “ I want my respect!” He repeats
the words on p. 51 – what does he mean?
4. The dramatic irony of Eddie’s words: “ I want my respect!” is that he is asking respect from his
wife even though he was the one who fell in love with her niece. When Eddie says the line, he means that
he doesn’t like the way his wife and every one treat him. Another irony is that he expects Respect from
everyone even though he turned his back against his own family by calling the Immigration Bureau.

What does Eddie discover that causes his fear and anger on p. 54? What knowledge do we, as
the audience, share with Eddie that the others do not know?
8. Eddie discovers that the cause of his fear and anger are from the idea that Catherine and Rodolfo
will get married and that the Lipari’s are Eddie’s enemy.

What does B. realize on p. 55? How does she react?

9. Beatrice realizes that Eddie has called the Immigration Bureau and called the policemen the
whereabouts of the immigrants (Marco & Rodolfo). She“[presses] her palms against her face,” in reaction
that she realizes that Eddie has caused this. She chooses to turn towards him instead of running from
Eddie. It shows that she still loves him but she is very upset and she has lost trust in Eddie. Instead of
running away she turns towards Eddie to make him feel guilty but this doesn’t work that well.

What is the dramatic significance and symbolism of Marco spitting at Eddie?

10. When Marco spits at Eddie it signifies that Marco has no respect to Eddie and he is upset about
what Eddie has done. When Marco spits at Eddie it shows that Marco is degrading Eddie and making him
humiliated. The dramatic importance of this is that Marco was Eddie’s acquaintance but now he believes
that Eddie is a betrayer and that he has lost trust in Eddie.

The crowd that has gathered hears Marco’ accusation on p. 57/58. What is the symbolic
importance of the crowd’s response to Eddie? How does Miller show this visually?
11. The symbolic importance of the crowd’s response to Marco’s speech is that they turn against
Eddie. “ The crowd has turned to Eddie… Lipari and his wife exit” represents that they are sick of Eddie
and that they also loose their distrust of Eddie. Miller expresses this by slowing making the crowd
characters leave slowly one by one as they hear and get disgusted of Marco’s speech about what Eddie
has committed. Even Eddie’s closer friends (Louis and Mike) leave him, which was foretold by Alfieri
before.

Episode 9 p 58 – 60

Why have there been no interludes for these last few episodes?
1. There have been no interludes or chorus speeches by Alfieri. This is mainly because Alfieri has
joined the cast as being an actual character instead of a supposed chorus figure. Another reason for Alfieri
joining the cast is that he has already leaded the audience to think that Eddie is in love with Catherine and
Catherine is in love with Rodolfo and etc. He is not really needed, but now instead of trying to lead the
audience he is trying to lead the characters so that all go’s well.

Why will A not bail M out unless he makes the promise? What does this show about A that
differentiates him from the other Italians?
3.

How does the scene between R and M engage the audience’s sympathy?
4.

 Which line shows A’s view of the law as being different from M on p. 59?
5.

“Only God makes justice. “Explain the dramatic significance of this line.
7.

Episode 10 p. 60 – 64

How do we recognize that events are leading towards catastrophe?

1.

What does Eddie demand to gain “ respect”? Does he deserve any? What aspects of his
character are being reinforced as he moves towards the final outcome of the conflict?
2.

How does C respond to him? How has she changed since the start of the play?
3.

What characteristics does B continue to show early in the episode (p.60-62)? Quote
4.

What does Eddie mean when he says: ”Marco’s got my name.” Why is this so important to him?
6.

Discuss the full dramatic significance of Beatrice’s actions and words just as Marco appears
( bottom p.62/63).
8.

How does Eddie respond to B’s revelation? What does this reinforce about his character and his
role as the protagonist/tragic hero/anti-hero?
10.