Arthur Miller Essay Example for Free

Arthur Miller Essay In this essay I will explain how Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective opening by writing about the initial perceptions of the Carbone family. The tone is created through the characters before the two cousins arrive and the outcome of their onset is the transformation in atmosphere of the Carbone family. I will explain the effect of the historical context, knowing that Marco and Rudolfo are illegal immigrants, and what outcome this has on the audience. The role of Alfieri is also clearly explained, how he is portrayed and how he creates a tense, anxious atmosphere with his narrative, to the audience. Additionally I will explain why the majority of citizens immigrated to America initially and how knowing that, affects the audience. Furthermore how the concluding dramatic scene affects ALL the characters, the atmosphere and the effect on the audience at the end of Act One. Immigrants left Italy, Russia and Germany in 1955 because they thought America was rich had political, economic and religious freedom and a lot of space for growth. Education was of a higher standard and there was supposed to be full employment. They also believed that America was a very wealthy country and glamorous because of the ideas and images portrayed in the Hollywood movies. The reality of this was somewhat different. There was a lot of exploitation and conflict, the accommodation was over-crowded, people were intolerant, and there was mass unemployment and poverty. Knowing what peoples perception were, created suspense and tension, as the audience insight is of the cousins being sent back or getting found out, explained by the quote from Eddie: if everyone just keeps his mouth shut nothin can happen. This also creates dramatic suspense as the audience does not yet know how Eddie will react and whether he will turn Rudolfo and Marco in to the Authorities. Also there is tension as to whether Rudolfo is using Catherine to obtain American passport and American citizenship, if he marries you, he has got a right to an American citizen. Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective beginning in Act1 of A View from the Bridge by firstly introducing an introductory speech by Alfieri. We know that Alfieri is the Narrator as he is the first to speak and introduce the main character. He links the scenes in the play and he prepares the audience for what is going to happen. An example of this is where he suggests in the quote, and watch it run its bloody course that a dreadful tragedy is clearly going to occur further on in the play. This tells the audience that blood may be shed or its something so terrible its unbearable. The audience know the main character is Eddie Carbone and he has something to do with an incident that will soon occur, this ones name was Eddie Carbone. Alfieri creates suspense and tension through this. We know the key theme in this play is justice referred in Alifieris first speech, justice is very important here which suggests a crime will be committed, creating a dramatic effective making you wan t to continue on with the play. The perceptions that we obtain from the Carbone family are that Beatrice is quite nervous about the cousins coming to stay, no, im just nervous thats all but happy, Catherine: laughing. We observed that Eddie is very protective especially over Catherine, responsible, Katie, I promised your mother on her deathbed. I am responsible or you, and caring, listen you been givin me the willies the way you walk down the street, I mean it! but obstinate and controlling, what job? Shes going to finish school. This indicates that Eddie is a good father figure for Catherine. They seem like a very warm-hearted, affectionate and hospitable, go baby, and set the table. We know Catherine is the best student out of her class mates, best in her class, which shows she is a very talented and educated young women. a very talented and educated person the best in her class. When the two cousins who are illegal immigrants, Marco and Rudulfo arrive, there is a transformation in atmosphere. The relationship between Catherine and Eddie also begins to change because Eddie is jealous of Rudolfos and Catherines relationship, Embarrassed now, angered. There is also a problem with Eddie and Beatrices marriage, when am I gonna be a wife again, Eddie? Eddie tries to avoid a discussion about this while on the other hand Beatrice wants to discuss the situation. This suggests a breakdown of communication. The family also seem to show more strain and anxiety, if everybody keeps his mouth shut, nothin can happen, said by Eddie. When Rudolfo and Catherine announce that they are now an item, Eddies protectiveness over her kicks in. He has now gone further than protective. He is now controlling and manipulative, I just dont want her hangin around., his patience warring. Rudolfo is seen as a lady figure. He sings, hes blond and self-centred, and then I want to go back to Italy when I am rich, and I will buy a motorcycle. While on the other hand Marco is the opposite hes darker and more reserved, Marco comes with a certain formal stiffness. He is also more responsible, my wife, I want to send it right away, maybe twenty dollars. Eddie is the only person to have a problem with Rudolfo. Mike and Louis tell Eddie that Rudolfo has a good sense of humour, which Eddie could perceive in one of several ways. This could make Eddie feel unfavourable as they see Rudolfo in a positive way on the other hand it could confirm Eddies view that hes right and that Rudolfo is insensible and defiantly not mature. This could also confirm eddies view that Rudolfo is a figure to laugh at Mike: Louis and he explode in laughter, you take one look at him everybodys happy Eddie: troubled. Also there are a lot more problems in Eddies and Beatrices relationship; it is rapidly deteriorating now after their row. Beatrice is now feeling furious and frightened Beatrice: suddenly with open fright and fury this shows conflict and a tense atmosphere. The final dramatic scene starts with tension, when Eddie and Rudolfo are arguing or disagreeing through conversation, Eddie: resenting his instruction, for Christ sakes. Eddie is being rude and insulting towards Marco, they count the kids and theres a couple extra than when they left? suggesting that Marcos wife may be committing adultery. The atmosphere becomes extremely tense, now Eddie is frustrated and unsettled with Rudolfo Eddie: (rises, paces up and down). Eddie tries to perceive the others by caring for Rudolfo, the more you run around like that the more chance youre takin', by doing this he can guide Catherine into breaking up with him. We know Eddies is alone on his argument, (holding back a voice full of anger) we know he is doing this through his actions, this builds tension, is he going to explode? Whats going to happen next? We know he feels this way because the rest of his family are on Catherine and Rudolfos side which could make Eddie very frustrated as he cant get his views across. By this he could also be very angry, tense and stressed. Eddie starts to be very intimidating towards Rudolfo, feeling Eddies eyes on his back which shows he is jealous and angry as if hes sending a personal warning to Rudolfo. Beatrice tries to distract Eddie be nice to go all over in one of those fishin boats which would help ease the tension. We know at this point that Eddie despises Rudolfo and starts to act in an immature and childish way he could make dresses he is ridiculing Rudolfo. Eddie invites Marco to a boxing match, you ever seen a fight, did you? he is know trying to act tough and to show that hes strong and masculine, like hes better or more of a manly figure. He also shows this through his actions as if hes getting ready to fight, rubbing his fists into his palms this shows he is very tense at this point and very unhappy or maybe he has a plan, still being nice and generous on the outside. The atmosphere seems to ease down a little at this point and becomes more relaxed and laid-back, (Rudolfo laughs) but the author is demonstrating an example of dramatic irony as this is false. As we know this is fake so dramatic irony is being used. Not forgetting the audience knows more about what is happening and has a more truthful perception of the characters than they do themselves. This makes the audience very suspicious and concerned as if something is about to happen, this causes tension and suspense for the audience, that a manly event of some sort is stirring. Eddie tries to teach Rudolfo how to fight, is it a trap? He boosts Rudolfos confidence by handing him compliments, hes terrific then Eddie hits him, watch out, here I come this is portrayed like a threat or a warning as if to say, stay away from Catherine. Marco, getting his revenge in some way challenges Eddie, Can you lift this chair?. But as Eddie soon realises its more than that. Eddie was only ale to lift it 1inch above the ground whereas Marco raised the chair over his head. This was to let Eddie know that he is stronger than him and that he understands what he is up to, protecting his brother and giving him a warning. He laughs this off, appear like a glare of warning into a smile of triumph which shows the others he is not threatening him but Eddie obviously knows what he meant. The atmosphere is now tense and formal.  Therefore Arthur Miller creates a dramatically effective beginning through out the play. He creates tone; suspense, tense atmosphere and historical context which make the audiences want to continue to watch the play and keep them guessing the whole way through.