A View from the Bridge

To what extent does Eddie harbor repressed romantic feelings toward Rodolpho as well as toward Catherine? Discuss the significance of Eddie kissing both characters.

What limits, if any, should there be on hospitality? To what degree is Eddie’s changing attitude toward the cousins staying in his house defensible?

Can A View from the Bridge be read as a parable for the complex relationship between immigrants and the host country to which they emigrate? What might such an interpretation look like?

Consider the nature of both official and “natural” law in the play. To what extent is Marco correct in his assertion that “all the law is not in a book”? How do the domains of official and natural law differ?

Consider the symbol of the bridge in the play. In what ways does Alfieri represent a bridge between cultures and between the audience and the play’s characters?

Can Eddie Carbone be considered a tragic hero? Discuss in connection with both the similarities and differences between his character and that of classical tragic heroes like Oedipus.

Consider the relationship between Catherine and Beatrice, and Beatrice’s remark that “whatever happened we all done it” (436). To what extent does the jealousy between Beatrice and Catherine contribute to Eddie’s downfall?

In Miller’s stage directions, he suggests that the telephone booth that Eddie will use in Act II can be either covered up until Act II or left in view from the start. How does the staging of the booth affect whether we see the play as a tragedy?