Who Killed Eddie Carbone and Why :: A View from the Bridge Arthur Miller

Who Killed Eddie Carbone and Why Introduction: In a poor Italian community of Brooklyn, the Carbone family consists of three members. Eddie Carbone, the man of the house. Beatrice Carbone, wife of Eddie Carbone and Catherine, their niece. But, they didn’t consider that their little world would be turning upside down with the arrival of Beatrice cousin’s Marco and Rodolpho. Reading and watching the story, I will base my ‘evidence’ on who killed Eddie Carbone and why. Eddie Carbone: Eddie Carbone was a 40 year old man, who was husky, slighty overweight longshoreman. He’s an ordinary man who lives in a poor Italian community of Brooklyn with his family. He is master of the house or the man of the house - both Beatrice and Catherine are obviously used to him laying down the rules. He sees this as a 'manly' thing to do and he expects all men to do the same - which is why he cannot accept Rodolpho's more gentle talents. He showed his generosity to his wife’s cousins, Marco and Rodolpho, by letting them stay around his house. Even living in Brooklyn most of his life, he still doesn’t have enough trust for people. His Honour and Pride meant a lot to him. He would do anything to protect his good name, especially in later stages. He was very protective of his niece, Catherine. He considered her his own little daughter. He paid for her typing lessons and had ambitions for her to rise to a different class. He is proud of her looks, yet concerned that she will attract the attention of men and is concerned about her new job. He finds it hard to admit that she has become a woman. "I guess I just never figured... that you would ever grow up." However, it soon becomes apparent that Eddie is in love with Catherine. He has not made love to his wife for three months. He 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" when she tells him she loves Rodolpho. He is unable to admit this shameful emotion to himself and is angry when Beatrice and Alfieri dare to mention it. His feelings for Catherine become more obsessive and he does everything in his power to prevent their marriage. He tries to prove that Rodolpho is more of a ‘sissy’ then a real ‘man’. He says that Rodolpho is more into ‘sewing’, ‘cooking’ and ‘singing’ then into any ‘manly stuff’.