Quote Bank
2015-2016
“To meet a lawyer or a priest on the street is unlucky” (p1)
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Foreshadows Eddies unlucky future
Eddie’s future is already doomed
Links to tunnel quote
“Justly shot by unjust men” (p2)
 There are often cases of injustice in the area
 People deal with the situation themselves
 Foreshadows what Eddie will do
“Justice is very important here” (p2)
 Justice is often taken into the hands of those effected
 It is regular in Redhook for there to be issues with justice
“Powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course” (p 2)
 Completely beyond Alfieri’s control
 He couldn't do anything about it
 All he could do was watch the situation unfold
 Links to Hallway quote
Alfieri commentary “Watched as it run its bloody course” (P2)
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Eddie’s fatal flaw is pointed out quickly and shows that no-one could
intervene.
It also shows inevitability of what will eventually happen later on in the play.
Symbolising Eddie has a clear view of everything that is coming towards him,
he has to face his fear. His obsession over Catherine it has led to the betrayal
of his own family blowing his actions out of proportion.
“I’m telling you you’re walking wavy” (p4)
Context – Said by Eddie when he realises Catherine is maturing and becoming more
feminine and shows that he wants her to stay youthful and not move on in
life.
Analysis – He is recognising that she is becoming attractive and knows that other
men will find her desirable. He then starts to fret as he realises that she will
soon leave him for another man. Her sultry attire causes Eddie to become
jealous that other men will be looking at her sexually.
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Eddie is oppressing and domineering towards Catherine
Catherine is coming across as provocative
She’s growing out of Eddies control
Eddie thinks he has the right to watch, comment and asses her behaviour and
appearance. He is stifling her and making Catherine feel trapped
Quote Bank
2015-2016
(Links to…“What’s the heels for, Garbo?” (p22))
Context – When Eddie realises Catherine has become rather dainty he tries to
cruelly manipulate her into changing her ways by being disdainful and
condescending.
Analysis – Eddie disapproves of Catherine’s new adult and provocative attire and
doesn’t want her to look nice for anyone. He refers to her as “Garbo,” a sex
symbol which was looked down upon in those days, in hopes of humiliating
her to change her mind about her challenging clothing.
SD- Eddie is pleased therefore shy about it (P3)
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Suggests Eddie has strong feelings for Catherine even though he knows it’s
not right.
He’s is clearly attracted to her and even though he knows it’s wrong he still
carries on his fixation because he cannot control his feelings.
Teaches us that there is a line which crosses your morals and even though
it’s not what you want, you must do what is morally correct.
Suggests Eddie is attracted to Catherine
He has intense feelings towards her
He’s very happy to see her
“I want to wait till B comes in” (p4)
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Suggests Catherine feels vulnerable
She’s nervous as she views him as intimidating
She’s scared to talk to him by herself
'Katie you are walkin' wavy! I don't like the looks they're given you in the candy
store' Act 1 (p4)
Eddie discussing Catherine's actions
This shows how Eddie seems to be noticing things about his niece that aren't really
normal for an uncle. Usually an uncle wouldn't analyse their niece to the extent they
can tell they are walking in a provocative manner. But Eddie is that obsessed with
Catherine he has analysed her in almost every way possible. Either due to sexual
desires, or over protectiveness. Also doesn't want other men to see her as
provocative
“You gotta keep yourself more you can’t be so friendly, kid” (p4)
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Shows how restrictive and controlling Eddie is
Telling her how she should behave
Using his power to make her act the way she wants
Quote Bank
2015-2016
“Almost in tears because he disapproves” (p4)
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Catherine is loyal towards Eddie
She doesn't want to upset Eddie, she wants to make him happy
It conveys the amount of power Eddie has over Catherine
Shows He doesn't care if he hurts her as long as she changes her behavior to
what Eddie thinks is appropriate
“The heads are turnin’ like windmills” (p5)
 It's a simile
 Catherine is no longer a child. She is attracting men.
 Eddie is jealous that other people are noticing her
 Suggests that Eddie has sexual feelings towards Catherine
Eddie to Catherine “With your hair that way you look like a Madonna, you
know that? You’re the Madonna type.” (P10)
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Suggests she is idyllic, someone who is picturesque.
Eddie views her as perfection and such an iconic figure within his life.
Madonna was also a virgin and this could relate that Eddie wants to keep her
away and young from anyone else as he views her as his own possession.
'I am inclined to notice the ruins in things"(p12)
Opening speech of the play by Alfieri
Shows how Alfieri always seems to know when things are about to go badly. Almost
foreshadowing the eventual fate of Eddie, things are going to turn out badly
'Powerless as I, and watched it run it's bloody course' (p12)
Alfieri's speech ending
Refers to death, again foreshadowing the eventual fate of Eddie. Also shows how
Alfieri knew something would go wrong, but there wasn't much he could do to
prevent it.
“And they spit on him, in the street, his own father and brothers” (p13)
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Foreshadows events
Its something that will happen again
This engages the audience: why and who will it effect
Quote Bank
2015-2016
“Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stolen
than a word you gave away” (P13)
Context – Eddie is ironically describing to Catherine the dangers of snitching on
someone about immigrants in the neighbourhood and how it can cause a
community to shun you.
Analysis – Eddie’s speech foreshadows the impeding penalty of what’s to come.
However, it’s all rather ironic as Eddie illustrates his utter disgust of the
topic and issues a warning to Catherine to be careful when approaching it
yet later on he goes against his morals and hands in the two immigrants
Marco and Rodolph. His actions teach us that sometimes in life we need to
take a step back and follow our own advice.
'You can't take no job'- (p18)
Eddie doesn't want Catherine to take a job
Eddie is possessive of Catherine, and doesn't want her to go off and do her own
thing. He can't really stand the thought of her no longer being there all the time any
more. He also doesn't really want to let her out of his sight.
“His face puffed with trouble, and the room dies” (p23)
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Intense anger
Catherine and Radolpho just met but are fixated on each other
Eddie is jealous of Radolpho
Eddies mood effects the atmosphere of the play
'You'll never see him no more, a guy do a thing like that?' - pg24
Vinny Balzono story about letting on about immigrants
Foreshadowing future- Eddie will eventually do the same, so obviously Eddies
obsession with Catherine causes him to contradict his earlier personal beliefs
“He’s like a weird” (p 24)
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Radolpho utterly disgusts Eddie
Eddies portraying it as if Catherine is attracted to someone gay however he is
masculine and the alpha male
Being ignorant
Emasculating Radolpho
Eddie is trying to lead Beatrice to think about Radolpho the way he does
'Here! I'll light it for you'- pg25
Catherine offering to light a cigarette for Eddie
Catherine always want to please Eddie- feels she has to impress him in order to
keep him happy - phallic imagery of sexual attraction Eddie has for Catherine
Quote Bank
2015-2016
'Enveloping her with his eyes' (p28)
stage directions for how Eddie is looking at Catherine
Symbolises how Catherine is trapped- Eddie tries to basically just control her life and
doesn't let her live it the way she wants to- he almost keeps her within his grasp at all
times, not letting her do anything he doesn't want her to do
“Sometimes you throw yourself at him like you was twelve years old” (p32)
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Shatters Catherine’s childhood
She has to change the way she acts around Eddie
She needs to act more grownup
The way she behaves is inappropriate
If she want more freedom she has to stop ‘leading’ Eddie on
'Embarrassed now, angered Catherine goes into the bedroom'- pg 33
Eddie told Catherine to take of her high heeled shoes
Catherine getting fed up of Eddies controlling behaviour- wants to live her own life.
She also feels embarrassed as she was made to look like a child in front of
Rodolpho- Beatrice also disagrees with Eddies controlling of Catherine as she is a
young lady
“His eyes were like tunnels” (P33)
Context – Alfieri, the omniscient narrator, is conducting a meeting with Eddie about
the immigration issues when he realises that Eddie’s desire to rid his
household of them has overwhelmed him and made him become frenzied
and venomous towards them.
Analysis – Miller’s audacious deployment of the simile is used to convey how fixated
Eddie has become on his sinister cause, to eliminate the threat of
Catherine leaving him. It is said that the eyes are the keys to the soul and
reveal everything about a person. In this case it portrays how dark and
empty he has become and how he is completely consumed by lust and
desire. Additionally it highlights how he has mentally deteriorated and how
his crave for Catherine has occupied him so much so that he no longer has
a sense of identity.
Symbolises Eddie feeling and how he has no control over his emotions, Eddie wants
one thing only and that is Catherine. Eddie’s character empathises the darkness of a
tunnel and his betrayal which is foreshadowing a tragic occurrence which is going to
happen.
Quote Bank
2015-2016
‘He puts his filthy hands on her like a god dam thief.’ (p37)
Eddie’s jealously emphasises his anger of Rodolpho stealing Catherine from Eddie,
he was very little control over Catherine anymore because Rodolpho is in the picture.
Eddies hatred towards Rodolpo is powerful because Eddie doesn’t want Catherine
being with anyone but him, his emotions are taking over him and becoming
dangerous.
'He's stealing from me'-(pg37)
Eddies view on Rodolphos relationship with Catherine
Shows how Eddie has began to feel like Catherine is his, which almost makes her
sound like an object. Seems to despise Rodolpho for trying to take her away from
him. Doesn't feel as if Rodolpho has the right to do this, and also feels Rodolpho is
disrespecting him by taking Catherine away from him.
[his smile goes]: you like him' pg40
Eddie finds out Catherine likes Rodolpho
Eddie de gestated about the news- feels like he is being challenged by Rodolpho,
felt Catherine was his and now she is admitting to have feelings for another man,
can't stand the fact that Catherine is getting taken away from him.
“He has been unconsciously twisting the newspaper into a tight roll” (p43)
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Potential damage he could do
His burning power
Foreshadows tension that will unravel
Shows the intensity of his anger
Symbolic, showing Eddies frustration that Catherine is now with another man
other than Eddie and will no longer be like the used to be. Eddie does not hold
any power over Catherine anymore, he has lost full control over her, Eddie
jealously and anger is taking over him as a person not only affecting his family
but has had an effect on the whole community.
Quote Bank
2015-2016
“He has bent the rolled paper and it suddenly tears in two” (p43)
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Symbolism
Foreshadows
Life is a coiled spring therefore will explode
Danger
Threat
Power of Eddie
Rodolpho to Catherine “If I take in my hands a little bird. And she grows and
wishes to fly, but I will not let her out of my hands because I love her so much,
is that the right thing for me to do?” (P50)
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Analogy
Symbolises Eddie’s control and restriction over Catherine.
He is keeping her locked away and covered from everyday life, just like not
getting a job.
Bird analogy symbolises Eddie’s hands holding Catherine in.
Teaches us that sometimes if you love someone or something, the best thing
you can do is let it go.
Also teaches us that you must let someone be true to themselves and be the
person they want to be.
Exactly what Eddie does to Catherine
Eddie ensnared Catherine
She can’t be free while around Eddie
Highlighting the fear Catherine feels, how Eddie is trapping her and wanting
her to himself. The power Eddie holds over Catherine, he controls her over his
emotions and doesn’t want her to be with anyone other than him. Eddie also
feels trapped in his own emotions which is cannot seem to escape from he is
jealously of the thought of Catherine with someone else.
Catherine to Rodolpho “I mean I know him and now I’m supposed to turn
around and make a stranger out of him?” (P50)
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Shows the connection Catherine and Eddie share.
Shows how much she really cares about him.
However, it shows how Eddie may become confused with their close
relationship.
Teaches us that some people can get the wrong idea if put across wrongly.
Quote Bank
2015-2016
“His eyes were like tunnels” (p53)
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Dangerous state of mind
There’s a darkness within him
No longer in control of himself
His obsession/feelings towards Catherine has taken over
Possessed
Vast void
Entrapment
He can’t change his direction, distraught and desperate
“I will never forget how dark the room became when he looks at me” (p53)
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Symbolism (tunnel)
The atmosphere is hugely effected by Eddie
Eddies is now completely broken
His mind is completely fragmented
He now has only dark things on his mind
“I want to report something. Illegal immigrants. Two of them.” (p55)
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Links to story at the beginning of the play
Eddie is only looking out for his self interest
Deluded himself
Thinks what he’s doing is okay/right
Marco about Eddie “In my country he would be dead now. He would not live
this long.” (p65)
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He doesn’t actually break the law however he breaks family law and breaks
his loyalty to Marco and Rodolpho.
Shows the importance of family and loyalty.
Teaches us that people’s actions will have consequences so we must think
before we act.
“He bites people when they sleep! He comes when nobody is lookin’ and
poisons decent people” (p68)
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Catherine’s view of Eddie has completely changed
She is now standing up for herself
Eddie does everything secretively. He goes behind people’s backs
Symbolises how horrendous Eddie has been his actions have become
dangerous because all he wanted was Catherine and won’t stop until he gets
her, Eddie has been corrupted from the result of his lust.
Quote Bank
2015-2016
“You want somthin’ else, Eddie, and you can never have her!” (p70)
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Everyone is horrified by the truth
Beatrice has finally said what has been on her mind
She has known all along
Knows it’s unacceptable
“Eddie lunges with the knife. Marco grabs his arm, turning the blade inward
and pressing it home” (p72)
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Eddie dies because of his own actions
Its his own fault that it ends this way
Symbolism
He has created his own doom
Died on own sword
“He dies in her arms, and Beatrice covers him with her body” (p72)
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Eddie truly loves Beatrice
Beatrice is always trying to protect him
Love lasts longer and is stronger than attraction/lust
“And yet, it is better to settle for half, it must be!” (p72)
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There have to be boundaries in life
Peruse your dreams but in within the realms of morals
You need to be in control of who you are
We all have the potential to lose ourselves