Theme: Family
Eddie, the ‘man’ of the family - Eddie Carbone is a character who is used to being in control of
the household. He is the sole male member of the family and because of this, feels that he is
entitled to being in charge. However, when his authority is challenged or not considered he feels
that his power is threatened.
Act 1, p. 8 - Eddie: “That ain’t what I wanted, though.” - when revealed that Catherine has gotten
a job, without his knowledge and consent.
Eddie usually means well in what he does but expresses this with overprotection of Catherine
which has resulted in her not becoming mature and understanding of the world despite
becoming an adult. This has also put strain on his relationship with his wife Beatrice, who
contrasts with Eddie’s displays of control and dominance.
Act 1, p. 10 - Eddie: “You got a good aunt but she’s got too big a heart, you learned bad from
her. Believe me.”
Beatrice: “Be the way you are, Katie, don’t listen to him.”
Eddie: “What are you so mad at me lately?”
Beatrice: “Who’s mad? / I’m not mad. / You’re the one is mad.” - after Eddie
relents and allows Catherine to go and work.
Act 1, p.14 -
Story of Vinny Bolzano - the fact that Vinny betrayed someone in itself is extremely shameful,
but the fact that he betrayed his own uncle is even more dishonourable → there’s a sense of
community in the neighborhood, everyone should watch out for each other → surpasses blood
relations → the universal family of society
Act 1, p. 12 - “Catherine: The kid snitched?
Eddie: On his own uncle!”
Eddie’s house is not particularly large, but due to the request of Beatrice as well as his
responsibility to take care of his family members, Eddie readily agrees to let Marco and
Rodolpho stay at their home for the time being. Like Eddie, Marco and Rodolpho moved to
America to start anew, and being Eddie’s family, Eddie is entitled to help them in the ways he
can.
Act 1, p. 16 - “I want to tell you now Eddie - when you say go we will go.
“Eddie: Oh no… Takes Marco’s bag”
“I see it’s a small house, but soon, maybe we can have our own house.”
Marco - Marco is portrayed as a sympathetic character and family man. He has taken a risk by
illegally immigrating from Italy to find a better place to work and earn money to support his wife
and three children. Unlike Eddie, Marco does not visibly put himself higher than his family, and
acknowledges both the difficulty of the mother’s task and the need for his children to mature.
Act 1, p. 18 - Marco: “What can I do? The older one is sick in his chest. My wife - she feeds
them from her own mouth. I tell you the truth, if I stay there they’ll never grow up. They eat the
sunshine.”
This contrasts with Eddie’s impression with his own wife:
Act 1, p. 11 - Eddie: to Beatrice- strangely and quickly resentful: “You lived in a house all your
life, what do you know about it? You never worked in your life.”
Eddie’s position of power is threatened - Eddie was used to living as the sole male of the family
and having control, so the addition of two males into the family threatens him, particularly
Rodolpho who immediately creates an influence over Catherine. Eddie views Rodolpho as an
immediate threat despite trying to conceal it.
Act 1, p. 22 - Eddie: he is sizing up Rodolpho, and there is a concealed suspicion.
Despite being Catherine’s uncle, it is implied that Eddie’s love for Catherine exceeds that of
familial love. Beatrice senses the tension between the pair and is aware how despite being a
grown woman, Catherine’s naivety causes her to unintentionally dress and act somewhat
inappropriately for her age in front of Eddie, a grown man.
Act, p. 32 -
“Beatrice: … you still walk around in front of him in your slip -Catherine: Well I forgot.
Beatrice: Well you can’t do it. Or like you sit on the edge of the bathtub talkin’ to
him when he’s shavin’ in his underwear”
It is implied that Beatrice feels jealousy towards Catherine resulting from the attention Eddie
devotes towards her, which fuels her desire for Catherine to get married and leave the
household, though she denies it. Catherine, in her naivete, is completely unaware of this.
Act 1, p. 32 - Beatrice: “But, you see, if only I tell him, he thinks I’m just bawlin’ him out, or
maybe I’m jealous or somethin’, you know?”
Catherine, astonished: “He said you was jealous?”
Beatrice: “No, I’m just sayin’ maybe that’s what he thinks. She reaches over to
Catherine’s hand; with a strained smile.”
Eddie’s feelings towards Catherine become dangerously close to crossing the line during his
appeal to Alfieri.
Act 1, p. 37 - Eddie: “He’s stealing from me!”
Alfieri: “She wants to get married, Eddie. She can’t marry you, can she?
Eddie, furiously: “What’re you talkin’ about, marry me! I don’t know what the hell
you’re talkin’ about!” - aggressive use of exclamation points, Eddie is flustered by Alfieri’s near
accusation, talks as though Catherine is his ‘property’.