A View from the Bridge
2011 PAST PAPER Choose a play in which a power struggle is central to the action. Explain briefly the circumstances of the power struggle and discuss the extent to which it contributes to your appreciation of theme and/or character in the play as a whole. “A View From The Bridge” by Arthur Miller is a play in which a power struggle is central to the action. The protagonist, Eddie Carbone struggles to keep his late sister in laws daughter, Catherine from marrying his wife’s illegally immigrated cousin, Rodolpho. Eddie also has a power struggle with his conscience about his inappropriate love for Catherine and his inability to tell anyone. When Eddie’s power struggle is lost he makes the ultimate decision to phone the immigration police on his wife Beatrice’ cousins. The dramatist successfully uses the power struggle, along with characterisation, conflict and key scene to enhance the audience’s appreciation of both the character of Eddie Carbone and the themes within the play such as love, code of honour and justice within the law. At the beginning of the play, before Marco and Rodolpho have arrived Miller does not make it obvious to the audience that Eddie is in a power struggle with his conscience. Through the use of characterisation Miller paints Eddie as a honourable, decent family man. The audience are made aware of Alfieri’s opinion of Eddie, spoken before the entrance of Marco and Rodolpho: “He was a good man as he had to be in a life that was hard and even. He worked on the piers when there was work, he brought home his pay, and he lived.” Miller’s characterisation of Eddie highlights a good man who seems perfectly content. “When there was work” highlights that Eddie’s life was tough and he struggled to raise his family financially. “He brought home his pay,” suggests that although his income was inconsistent Eddie’s main priority in life was to look after his family and any money that he earned was spent on the household and by