Arthur Miller’s play Essay

This essay will seek the theme of masculinity as presented by Eddie and Rodolpho in Arthur Millers play of a peck from the bridge. I will do this by analysing what the male characters say, and how it shows their view of masculinity.A View From The Bridge, which was based in New York, was set in the 1950s. During that time many Italian immigrants had fled to New York, and brought their beliefs and views with them. One of there strongest beliefs was in masculinity, which is what I will be exploring in this essay.A stereotypical Italian family had the Male as the extend of the house, with him bringing in the money and have the ultimate say in all matters. That is only the sort out though. Different people have different views, which are affected by class, culture and education amongst others. This is shown in the play by having people with different backgrounds, having different views.Eddie is the character who seems to have the strongest views of masculinity. Firstly he shows the sense of hearing that he wants to protect his family.The first scenario when this comes across when he is having a conversation with Catherine about what she is wearing. Eddie tells her I deem its too short. This is a typical parental concern for many years and still continues in military position families. It shows that Eddie cares about her and doesnt want guys staring at her. To make the message plane clearer he even tells Catherine I dont like the looks. Eddie is just looking out for his family and he wants the best for them. curtly following this discussion is when Catherine tells Eddie she has got a job. At first he is inquisitive and asks her question like wheres the job? and what company? Once again this shows his protection for his family, but when he finds out she is earning fifty dollars a week his tone changes. Suddenly Eddie becomes against the situation and makes excuses like he dont like that neighbourhood. I regard the reason Eddie had suddenly become against the situation is because he would no longer be the principal(prenominal) provider for the family. It shows that Catherines income would be more during the conversation with Marco when he says they could earn maybe thirty, forty a week. That is a massive dent to a proud mans pride and masculinity.Another matter that proves Eddie to be a masculine man is when Arthur Miller writes about his rocker. This is a rocking chair, which I believe may symbolise his throne. By having this in the story strengthens the fact that Eddie is head of the house.Finally Eddie challenged Rodolpho to some hail-fellow boxing. Boxing is a sport strongly associated with men due to its violence. Eddies skill at boxing is shown finished Beatrice when he says, hes good. This shows thatEddie has done it many times before, hence stregnthening his masculinity. Also by striking Rodolpho in the face is a warning to him, to not get on the wrong side of Eddie.Marco didnt like this so he challenged Eddie to lift a chair with one hand. He couldnt do it. Then Marco lifted it and smiled triumphantly showing Eddie he had won. This was the first time that Eddies masculinity had been challenged.Throughout the play Eddie also loses some of his masculinity through various event.These first come though after the arrival of Marco and Rodolpho, when Beatrice says to him when am I going to be a wife again, and its been 3 months. That quote tells the audience that Eddie has not had sex for a long, which would greatly dent a male image, curiously if your wife is confronting you about it.The next blow to his masculinity came when his daughter disobeyed him. Catherine tells him no, were doing it right away. This is in reference to Catherine and Rodolpho acquiring married. As head of the house he should be in control of all situations, and having your daughter not obey you is the opposite. It once again shows more masculinity Eddie has lost.In Eddies view of masculinity he shows us regularly that being gay is not acceptable. This is shown to the audience by constantly by him victimisation homophobic comments about Rodolpho i.e. Hes like a weird and they callin him canary. Even though he seems to have strong views against homosexuality he kisses Rodolpho. I believe he does this to challenge Rodolphos masculinity, but in doing so drastically reduces his masculine image.