Tonnage of the world Essay Example for Free

Tonnage of the world Essay A View From The Bridge is about a family, who live in Red Hook, the gullet of New York, which swallows the tonnage of the world. This family of three, comprising of an Uncle, Aunty and niece, are ordinary working class citizens who try to deal with some common, and uncommon problems in their lives. These problems include growing up and learning to let go, and conflicts with other relatives. From the first few lines of dialogue, I thought that Eddie and Catherine had a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship because when Catherine says Hi, Eddie! the stage directions tell us that Eddie is pleased and therefore shy about it To me, it seems that one would not be shy when ones niece said Hi, and also Eddie was pleased about it which led me to believe that the nature of their relationship was of that sort. Catherine buys a new skirt, which Eddie thinks is too short. Catherine tells Eddie that its the style now and that it isnt too short when she stands up. Eddie retaliates by saying that shes gotta sit down sometimes. Catherine carries on by saying if you see me walkin down the street to which Eddie quickly reacts by saying that shes walkin wavy. Catherine is adamant that shes not walking wavy, but then Eddie says that he dont like the looks theyre givin her in the candy store. This conflict is caused at the beginning of the play by Catherine growing up, and attracting the attention of male admirers, something that Eddie doesnt seem to like. Beatrice thinks that Eddie treats Catherine like a baby, as when she has the opportunity to become a stenographer, Eddie comes out with a feeble excuse to persuade her to not to take the job; I know that neighbourhood, B. I dont like it. Beatrice then says to Eddie that if nothin happened to her in this neighbourhood it aint gonna happen no place else, and makes a personal attack on him by saying shes seventeen years old, you gonna keep her in the house all her life? Beatrice doesnt understand Eddie as she thinks that he wants Catherine to have a good job, earning good money, but then he treats her like a child, so I think that Beatrice views Eddies relationship with Catherine as a father-daughter relationship; Eddie acting overprotective, and trying to make Catherines decisions for her. Rodolfo and Marco arrive in America, which has a dramatic impact on Eddies and Catherines relationship. As soon as Rodolfo arrives, we see that Catherine is attracted to him. She is enthralled by his singing and wondrously in love with his hair. When Catherine and Rodolfo go to the Brooklyn Paramount, Eddie tries to have a private conversation with Catherine, hinting at Rodolfo to go away. Catherine sticks up for Rodolfo saying, why dont you talk to him Eddie? He blesses you, and you dont talk to him hardly. This gives Eddie the chance to be ironic by saying, I bless you and you dont talk to me. Eddie feels that Catherine is running away from him, hence making their relationship together drift further and further apart. There is strong evidence that Eddie doesnt like Catherine going out with Rodolfo when they go to see a film at the Brooklyn Paramount. Eddie tells Beatrice that Rodolfo gives him the heebie-jeebies, and that he sings on the ships. Beatrice asks Eddie why he doesnt want Catherine Rodolfo to get married, as hes a nice fella, hard workin, and that hes good lookin. Also, Eddie seems to have a problem with Rodolfos wacky hair and that he just hopes thats his regular hair. Eddie is trying to insinuate that Rodolfo is gay or homosexual. Beatrice thinks Eddies crazy or sumpm, and tries to ignore his ridiculous remarks. Eddie also is very paranoid as he waits for Rodolfo and Catherine outside the house, treating them as little children; Its after eight. In the boxing scene, Eddie shows Rodolfo couple a passes, whilst everyone else watches them. Rodolfo dont know how to, but Eddie insists that he does. Beatrice asks Eddie whats he got to learn that for? and Eddies response is that somebodys liable to step on his foot or sumpm. Beatrice then tells Rodolfo to go ahead, as Eddies a good boxer and that he could learn from him. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Catherine is making coffee, unaware what is going on in the other room. When Catherine does come in the room, she asks Beatrice what are they doin? with alarm. Beatrice replies by telling her that hes teachin him, and that hes very good! in a calm and relaxed way, as she only senses the comradeship, until Eddie mildly staggers Rodolfo, causing Marco to rise and Catherine to panic, shouting Eddie! After this incident, Rodolfo asks Catherine to dance, to the song, Paper Doll, which he sang when he arrived in the flat. This shows us that Rodolfo is standing up to Eddie, as when he first sang the song, Eddie told him to stop, in case he got picked up. Instead, he decided to dance to it, which is a safer option and may make Eddie a little bit angry. Meanwhile, Eddie sits down in his chair, when Marco places a chair in front of him. He asks Eddie Can you lift this chair? to which Eddie replies, What do you mean? Marco shows Eddie to lift it from the back, using only one arm. Eddie tries twice, but fails. By now, everyone is watching as Marco lifts the chair higher and higher, until the chair is raised over his head. Marco then smiles, triumphantly, leaving Eddie to absorb his look, and making him look weak and inferior; perhaps a warning telling him not to overstep the mark. In the boxing scene, each character feels differently towards Eddie, whether it is they feel threatened by Eddie, by him causing them direct anger, or by him causing anger, indirectly and vice versa. An example of direct anger being when Rodolfo was hit by Eddie, causing him anger as a result of Eddies action towards him. An example of indirect anger was when Rodolfo was hit by Eddie, causing Catherine anger, but not directly from Eddie towards her.