Paper 2: A View From The Bridge: quotes and language techniques

Rodolpho’s rhetorical question

“You think I would carry on my back the rest of my life a woman I didn't love just to be an American?”

Rodolpho defends himself against Eddie’s accusations that he is using Catherine to gain American citizenship. The rhetorical question forces Eddie (and the audience) to consider the absurdity of this claim, emphasizing Rodolpho’s sincerity in his love for Catherine.

Rodolpho’s irony

“You think we have no tall buildings in Italy? Electric lights? No wide streets?”

Rodolpho ridicules Eddie’s assumption that Italy is an inferior place compared to America. His sarcastic tone highlights the cultural arrogance in Eddie’s perspective, reinforcing the play’s themes of immigration and the American Dream.

Rodolpho’s metaphor

“Wishes to fly. I will not let her out of my hands because I love her so much, is that right for me to do?”

Rodolpho compares Catherine to a baby bird, symbolizing her innocence and desire for independence. This metaphor critiques Eddie’s possessiveness, illustrating how he is stifling Catherine rather than protecting her.

Eddie’s colloquial language

“Listen you’ve been giving me the willies the way you walk down the street, I mean it”

Eddie’s informal and direct speech reflects his working-class background and reinforces his discomfort with Catherine’s growing independence and femininity. It also subtly reveals his inappropriate fixation on her.

Eddie’s infantilization

“You’re a baby, you don’t understand these things”

Eddie constantly diminishes Catherine’s maturity by referring to her as a "baby." This reflects his need for control over her and his inability to accept that she is growing into an independent woman.

Eddie’s hyperbole

“They’ll think it’s a millionaire’s house the way you live”

Eddie exaggerates how well Beatrice and Catherine live to emphasize his role as the provider. This aligns with the play’s theme of masculinity and the traditional expectations placed on men to be the financial backbone of the household. But also emphasises his stereotypical views on immigrants.

Eddie’s repetition

“I want my respect, didn't you ever hear of that? From my wife?”

The repetition of “respect” underscores Eddie’s deep insecurity about his masculinity. His demand for respect from his wife reveals his obsession with dominance and control, central to his tragic downfall. His constant demand for respect is kind of like a motif

Marco’s symbolism

“He degraded my brother. My blood.”

The phrase “my blood” symbolizes familial honor and loyalty, which are central values in Marco’s worldview. His outrage over Rodolpho’s humiliation reflects the play’s focus on justice and revenge.

Marco’s rhetorical question

“Where’s the law for that?”

Marco challenges the legal system’s failure to address moral wrongdoing. This rhetorical question highlights the theme of justice versus the law, as Marco believes in personal retribution when legal justice is inadequate.

Catherine’s repetition

“Don’t, don’t laugh at me.”

The repetition of “Don’t” emphasizes Catherine’s frustration and insecurity. As Rodolpho begins to exhibit behaviours reminiscent of Eddie’s dominance, Catherine’s reaction suggests she is becoming more aware of the power dynamics in her relationships and resisting control.

Catherine’s anaphora

anaphora is the repetition of structure

“Every day I saw him when he left in the morning and when he came home at night.”

The repetition of "when" structures the sentence like a routine, emphasizing the deep connection and respect Catherine has for Eddie as a father figure. This moment acknowledges her gratitude but also foreshadows the difficulty of breaking away from his influence.

Catherine’s metaphor/ animalistic imagery

“How can you listen to him? This rat.”

By calling Eddie a “rat,” Catherine dehumanizes him, showing her complete emotional detachment. This shift in language marks a turning point in her character arc, as she no longer views Eddie as a protector but as a traitor.

Beatrice’s imperative sentence

“You gotta get him to understand that he can’t give you orders no more.”

Beatrice’s use of direct commands reflects her role as Catherine’s mentor, encouraging her to assert independence. The imperative “get him to understand” underscores the necessity of Catherine breaking free from Eddie’s control.

Beatrice’s colloquial language

“The girl is gonna be eighteen years old, it’s time already.”

The use of “gonna” and “gotta” reflects Beatrice’s working-class background and makes her speech feel more natural. It also adds urgency to her statement, reinforcing her belief that Catherine must mature and make her own choices.

Alfieri’s euphemism

“There’s too much love for the niece, do you understand what I’m saying to you?”

Alfieri avoids directly stating Eddie’s inappropriate feelings for Catherine, instead using “too much love” as a euphemism. This softens the accusation while still warning Eddie about his excessive possessiveness.

Alfieri’s legal diction

“There’s nothing illegal about a girl falling in love with an immigrant.”

Alfieri frames Catherine and Rodolpho’s relationship in legal terms to highlight the gap between the law and moral justice. Eddie wants the law to intervene, but Alfieri reminds him that love cannot be legislated.

Alfieri’s religious allusion

“This is not God, Marco, you hear? Only God makes justice.”

Alfieri appeals to Marco’s sense of morality, using religious imagery to discourage him from taking revenge. The contrast between human law and divine justice reinforces one of the play’s central conflicts: personal vengeance versus the legal system.

Alfieri’s monologue and ellipsis

“I mourn him, I admit it with certain... alarm.”

The ellipsis creates a pause, suggesting Alfieri’s conflicted feelings about Eddie—both pity and unease. His monologue, which frames the play’s beginning and end, provides a reflective tone, acknowledging Eddie’s downfall as both tragic and inevitable.