“A View from the Bridge” by Arthur Miller
Critical Essay Question and Plan
Task:
Choose a play which underlines how one person's flaw(s) can have a significant impact on
other people as well as on himself or herself. Explain briefly the nature of the flaw(s) and
then, in detail, assess how much the character and others are affected.
Introduction
 Title, author, type of text, words of task.
 Summary: Eddie – Italian American – his relationship with his niece – his wife’s
cousins come from Italy – illegally stay and work in America. Flaw – The
inappropriate feelings he has for his niece - The themes revealed – the destructive
force of jealousy, the importance of the Italian code of honour and inappropriate
love.
 Statement of intent – Miller uses various techniques to illustrate that Eddie’s
flaw causes him to act in a way that has severe and far reaching implications
for not only himself, but also for several other characters.
Plan – middle paragraphs
Para 2 - Eddie is seen as an honest character that follows the code of honour that exists among
the Italian immigrants in Red Hook. (Include discussion of the theme of the Italian code of
honour here)
 Eddie’s view of providing a home for the illegal immigrants/“submarines”(p.8)
 The story of the fourteen year old boy (p13-14)
 Alfieri’s comments on Eddie’s character (p15)
Para 3 – Eddie’s inappropriate feelings for his niece develop throughout the play and this has
severe consequences for him as he loses the respect of his family, the community and ultimately
his life.
 Discuss how Catherine’s reaching sexual maturity affects Eddie (Comment on use of
symbolism here and Include discussion of the theme of inappropriate love)
 Discuss how Rodolpho and Catherine’s relationship causes Eddie to be jealous and frustrated
(Comment on the key scene of the boxing match here and discuss the theme of the
destructive nature of jealousy)
Para 4 – Eddie’s feelings for Catherine cause him to act in a way that profoundly affects other
characters. (Discuss the theme of the destructive nature of jealousy here)
 Use the example of Marco and how Eddie’s actions affect him and his ability to look after
his family.
 Use the example of Beatrice and how their physical and emotional relationship is affected
 Use the example of Catherine and Rodolpho’s relationship
Conclusion – In conclusion, refer to task, sum up the main points of your argument, which aspect of
the text did you find most appealing/convincing?
Para 5 – Stage prop – telephone booth (if in view); Alfieri – like chorus in
traditional Greek tragedy – he points out Eddie’s motivations/
desires and in addresses to audience stresses the inevitability of Eddie’s downfall
and his own helplessness.
Para 2 – Eddie as an honest/honourable character
Firstly, Eddie is seen as an honest character who follows the code of honour that exists among
the Italian immigrants in Red Hook
 Eddie’s view of providing a home for the illegal immigrants/“submarines”(p.8)
 The story of the fourteen year old boy (p13-14)
 Alfieri’s comments on Eddie’s character (p15)
Para 3: Eddie’s growing jealousy
 Eddie begins to only speak to Marco – growing dislike for Rodolpho, as early as first
meeting (p.18)
 Eddie’s reaction to Rodolpho’s singing and Catherine’s admiration of it – Eddie’s “iron
control…smile” and comment about Catherine’s heels (symbol of her being a woman – men
finding her attractive) (p.21)
 Alfieri’s comment – p.22
 Eddie’s conversation with Beatrice about ~Rodolpho (bottom of p.23)
 Boxing match – Eddie hits Rodolpho p41
Para 4: Eddie’s self denial
T. S = Linkword +TASK + Eddie’s self-denial over his feelings towards Catherine.
 Beatrice’s mention of it – p.23, p.30
 Eddie’s denial of it – p.34
 Eddie’s criticisms of Rodolpho – p.28, p.33
Para


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5: Stage devices
T. S = Linkword +TASK + – the stage devices prepare us for the decision Eddie makes.
The telephone booth – p.3
Alfieri – his talk of the inevitability of Eddie’s situation and his own helplessness. P.31,
p.35, p.48, p.49
Conclusion
 In conclusion, words of task
 Sum up main point(s) of each paragraph
 State your overall praise of the text.