Tension in Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge :: A View from the Bridge Arthur Miller Essays

Tension in Arthur Millers A View From The BridgeThe whole of this play involves symbolism, on many different levels.The end scene, in which Eddie takes his own life with his own knife,is symbolic of the dangerous temperament that led to such an ending.As Arthur Miller wished to write a fresh Hellenic tragedy it is likelythat the symbolism of the dagger is Eddies sexuality, which host himto his drastic actions and up to at one timetually death. During the confrontationearlier in the play Marco elevated a chair like a weapon, symbolic ofthe fight nevertheless to come. Rudolpho danced with Catherine when she hadpreviously been attending to Eddie, symbolic of him taking her fromEddies life.Therefore it analysems graphic to reason that Miller intended the title ofthe play to have near significance other than the geography of thelocation. The most obvious interpretation is of the earreach sharingwith Alfieri an unbiased overview of the unfolding of eveningts. It islike being subject to see from a bridge over over a river, our visionuncluttered by opinions as it would be by the side of the river, orperhaps even as soften of the river. The spray and swirling of currentsof a river could represent the uncertain nature of life that cloudsour perceptions and the flow of water the rush of emotions that carryus from own to death. Though, even Alfieri is not completely removedfrom the happenings of the play, he takes an active part in the playas well as providing the chorus character of the Greek format thatMiller used. He is part of the American culture, unless alike part of theItalian culture, he also knew the family I had represented his paternityin an accident case some years before, and I was acquaint with thefamily in a casual way. Perhaps this is why he is able to give abalanced opinion and to counsel Eddie (though his advice is unheeded).On the bridge we have time to form opinions, to judge other people, tosettle for half. It was his American au dience that Miller addressedthrough AlfieriMost of the time now we settle for half and I like it better. But thetruth is holy, and even as I know how wrong he was and his deathuseless, I tremble for, I confess that something perversely pure callsto me from his memory--not purely good, but himself, purely, for heallowed himself to be wholly known and for that I think I will lovehim more than all my sensible clients.This dilutes the feeling of favourable position and detachment that we are