A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller

A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller

INTRODUCTION

In this essay I will be exploring the Key Scene from 'A View From The

Bridge', written by Arthur Miller and I will be expressing my thoughts

on the importance of this scene to the play as a whole.

In 1921 and 1924 the American Government passed laws which severely

restricted immigration, and which made it particularly difficult for

people from the south and east of Europe to enter the country. However

the Depression of the 1930's and the Second World War brought

hardships, but the differences in standards of living between America

and Italy meant many Italians despite all the dangers will still

migrate to America. Italians main reason for migration was that

America offered opportunities through work, for them to gain

prosperity which they could never achieve in their native land.

The story 'A View From The Bridge', is set in the 1940's in Red hook

Brooklyn, New York. Red Hook was a really violent place; if people had

problems with other people they took matters into their own hands,

instead of taking it to the law or Police. Some people in communities

also became "Stool Pigeons". Meaning people became police informers

and got their own relatives deported back to Italy. If someone decided

to become a Stool Pigeon and grass on their own people, that person

was ostracized.

This story is about a man called Eddie Carbone who is an Italian

Longshoreman working on the New York Docks in the 1940's. When his

wife's cousins, Marco and Rodolfo seek refuge as illegal immigrants

from Sicily, Eddie agrees to shelter them. Trouble begins when his

wife's niece, Catherine is attrac...

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apologie that was un necessary. However even in the end Eddie refused

to compromise and stop this tragic conclusion to the play. If only

Eddie had been a bit cooperative then the play would not have ended

like this. The ending was indeed as a direct result of the Key Scene

because all the characters become aware of what is going on and what

Eddie is trying to do. The play wouldn't have had a tragic end if

Eddie hadn't punched Rodolfo in the face while teaching him boxing,

then Marco would not have raised the chair over Eddie's head. Leading

Eddie to get drunk and calling the Immigration Bureau. Which lead

Rodolfo and Marco to get arrested and in revenge Marco stabbed Eddie,

killing him. I also agree that this is the key scene because all of

Eddie's thoughts and feelings are expressed clearly in this key scene.