Summary of Eddie’s Character

Through the way Miller portrays Eddie’s actions towards Catherine, it is easy to withdraw that he loves, idolises and is very protective of her. ‘Give us a twirl Madonna.’ This implies he almost treats her like a statue or a shrine, and assumes that she should obey what he says. Throughout the play, the idea that Eddie may love Catherine in a different way arises. Eddie had not had a close or intimate relationship with his wife Beatrice for a while. ‘Eddie, when am I going to be a wife again?’ Eddie also quickly becomes jealous of Rodolpho because of the immediate impression Rodolpho makes on Catherine. The stage directions tell us, “He looks at [Catherine] like a lost boy”

Eddie’s Jealousy

Miller portrays Eddie as a jealous, selfish and overbearing character, especially when other men interrene with his and Catherine’s relationship. Miller depicts this through Eddie’s attitude towards Rodolpho, and Eddie always being the centre of attention. This is suggested when Eddie tells Catherine ‘This ain’t what I wanted though.’ This implies Eddie’s selfishness and self-centredness as he puts his preferences first. Another example of Eddie’s jealousy is illustrated through his idolisation of Catherine, when he says “Katie don’t break my heart, listen to me.” This demonstrates that he potentially values their relationship on a different scale.

Eddie Carbone-Character Mind Map Analysis

What Tension Does Miller Portray during the arrival of the Italian Cousins?

It is relatively clear from the moment the cousins arrive, Eddie takes an immediate dislike to them. Eddie was so used to being the only man in the house, so we can tell that Marco and Rodolpho’s presence threatens his power. Miller emphasises and exacerbates this sudden distaste for the two new-comers by asking how long they are going to stay upon their arrival, (almost implying he doesn’t want them there long); and by altering the tone in which he speaks to them. It is noticeable that through the way Eddie talks to Rodolpho, he looks down on him. He points out that Rodolpho is ‘blonde’ and tells him to be quiet when he is singing. This may be because he finds out Marco is married, so thinks as Rodolpho as the main threat to his dear Catharine.

 

The fact that Eddie is already stressed doesn’t help the tension when the cousins arrive. Catharine had just told Eddie she had got a job, almost her first step into adult life, and Eddies ultimate nightmare. Eddie also had the burden of providing food money and stability in the family home, and being fair to him, hiding two illegal immigrants in your house (who are dependant on you), doesn’t help problems. Catharine relishes in Eddies attention, she matures throughout the play but continues to obey Eddies orders. Catharines first words to Rodolpho were ‘are you married?’ This showed us that Catherine was interested, and thats when Eddies jealousy becomes clear, creating tension in the household.

 

Another way Miller creates tension is through the characters personalities. The cousins and Eddie and his family have come from very different cultures and backgrounds. Eddie uses his perception of Eddie to emasculate him in front of Catherine, and make him look stupid. This results in dissonance between Eddie and Rodolpho, but Rodolpho cannot do much as he is staying and living under Eddies hospitality. 

Eddie and Bea’s Relationship

Throughout this scene, we almost get the sense of a triangular relationship between Catherine, Eddie and Bea. From the way Miller describes Eddie and Bea’s relationship it is clear that it is lacking attention and affection; maybe this is due to Eddie’s overwhelming desire for Catherine.

 

Through the way Miller depicts Eddie and Bea’s relationship, it is clear it is lacking intimacy and attraction. ‘Eddie, when am I going to be a wife again?’ This implies that Eddie and Bea’s relationship isn’t going anywhere, that it is almost on hold. Millers use of the word ‘again’ suggests the duration of which the disconnection has lasted. This creates the sense that their love life used to be good, and Beatrice is longing for more intimacy and love from Eddie. 

 

Miller states that Eddie is getting very paranoid and agitated throughout the time Catherine and Rodolpho are at the movies together. ‘They must’ve seen every picture in Brooklyn by now. He’s supposed to stay in the house when he aint working. He aint supposed to go advertising himself.’ The way that Miller presents Eddie throughout this scene, suggests that his love and interests are somewhere else. It gives us the impression that he isn’t giving much attention to Beatrice, he’s just sitting up waiting for Catherine to get back, blocking out and almost turning his back on Beatrice whilst doing so. His jealousy suggests that Bea isn’t enough for him. The idea that Eddie has other interests (such as Catherine), is emphasised during the parts of the play where he almost treats her like a shrine, a trophy. ‘Give us a twirl Madonna.’

 

From the way Miller presents Eddie and Bea’s relationship, it is easy to acknowledge that Bea has a strong hold and is the voice of reason in the relationship. We learn to understand that Bea is very dominant in her own way, however Miller emphasises how that can causes conflict in their relationship. ‘Eddie let her be, she is almost a woman.’ Beatrice stand up for Catherine, and understands where she is coming from. She reasons with Eddie to let Catherine have her ways, regardless of any jealousy she may feel that Catherine has Eddies full attention.

Eddie and Alfieri’s contrasting Mindsets

How Does Miller Present Alfieri and Eddie’s contrasting Mindsets in this scene?

 

During this scene, Eddie is trying to persuade Alfieri that Rodolpho is going against the law. This scene really brings out Eddie and Alfieri’s contrasting mindsets, and presents to us the extent to which Eddie’s jealousy is shining through. 

 

Through the way Miller depicts Eddie’s mood throughout the scene, it is clear that Eddie is getting more and more desperate to find and analyse faults in Rodolpho as the scene proceeds. Miller displays Alfieri as the sensible voice of reason, and we get the idea that Alfieri can see right through him. The stage directions give us an idea of how Eddie’s anxiety is increasingly building up throughout the scene. ‘With a helpless but ironic gesture. ‘Sardonically’ ‘It begins to break through’ Throughout the scene, Alfieri remains calm and collective, but Eddie gets angry and frustrated. This gives us the idea of their two contrasting mindsets.

 

Miller presents Alfieri as trying to convince Eddie to let Catherine go. ‘Its her life Eddie, wish her luck and let her go.’ Alfieri is telling him the right thing to do, but Eddie doesn’t want to listen. This portrays how self-interested Eddie is, and how in his ideal world, he imagines protecting Catherine from any male marriage or relationship. Eddie doesn’t want to accept he is wrong, and his pride and admiration for Catherine is stopping him.