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- A View from the Bridge: the characters
A View from the Bridge: the characters
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Eddie is a tragic hero: an ordinary man destroyed by feelings he cannot understand or control.
Eddie
Hard-working and protective, but his feelings for Catherine are possessive and more than fatherly, though he cannot admit it.
He values his 'name' (reputation) above all, yet destroys it by informing.
His flaw leads to his downfall.
He values his 'name' (reputation) above all, yet destroys it by informing.
His flaw leads to his downfall.
Catherine and Beatrice
Catherine: 17, innocent and eager to please Eddie at first; she grows up and chooses Rodolpho.
Beatrice: loving and perceptive. She sees Eddie's feelings for Catherine before anyone else and tells Catherine to become independent.
Beatrice: loving and perceptive. She sees Eddie's feelings for Catherine before anyone else and tells Catherine to become independent.
Marco, Rodolpho and Alfieri
Marco: strong, quiet and devoted to his family in Italy. He believes in justice as a matter of honour.
Rodolpho: lively, fair-haired and fun-loving; he wants to stay in America.
Alfieri: the narrator, who explains the community's values and feels powerless to stop the tragedy.
Rodolpho: lively, fair-haired and fun-loving; he wants to stay in America.
Alfieri: the narrator, who explains the community's values and feels powerless to stop the tragedy.
How does Beatrice show she understands Eddie?
- She notices his jealousy of Rodolpho.
- She points out that their own marriage has problems.
- She urges Catherine to stop acting like a little girl around Eddie.
Answer: She sees his hidden feelings for Catherine and tries to protect the family by pushing Catherine to grow up.
Eddie: protective, possessive, obsessed with his name. Catherine: grows up. Beatrice: perceptive and loving. Marco: strong, honourable. Rodolpho: lively, fun-loving. Alfieri: powerless narrator.
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