How does Arthur Miller make passions and desires so memorable Essay

Given that Eddie Carbone only ever explicitly expresses his passions and appetencys once in the play, how does Arthur Miller make them so memorable?Much of Arthur Millers play A View from the Bridge works to create the impression that Eddie Carbone is disgusted by Rodolphos effeminate appearance and supposed homosexuality. He uses this as an argument against Rodolphos suitability as a husband for Catherine. When Eddies own homosexual desires are revealed, then, they strike us as completely antithetical to these sentiments. It is this irresolvable and perplexing contradiction that makes his repressed homosexuality, rather than his incestuous desire for Catherine, so memorable for the audience.Eddie lives in a community where intolerance greets any man who does not conform to the most parochial definition of masculinity, an intolerance that Miller clearly articulates through the minor characters Mike and Louis. While Mike and Louis reverently point step to the fore Marcos physical st rength when working at the docks, Rodolpho, that blond one, is instead said to corroborate a sense of humour. This remark isnt obviously pejorative, nevertheless Mike and Louis grin, snicker, and become hysterical as they voice it. The discrepancy between their speech and behaviour points to an underlying and unspoken insinuation. Of course, a sense of humour is a stand-in for what they see as Rodolphos difference compared to Marco. Marco conforms to their definition of masculinity he is physically strong, and works quietly and diligently. Rodolpho does not, and they mock this difference, revealing their intolerance.Eddie is similarly s spatedalize by what he sees as Rodolphos effeminate appearance, giving voice to both this and his belief that Rodolpho is a homosexual in his conversation with Beatrice. Eddie remarks on Rodolphos wacky hair, declaring hes like a chorus girl or sumpm. Similar to Mike and Louis, Eddie calls financial aid to Rodolphos hair, implying that Rodolpho b leaches it. According to Eddie, a preoccupation with his appearance is a strictly feminine trait and therefore casts doubt over his masculinity. The simile that compares Rodolpho to a chorus girl makes this all the much clear. The intolerance and resentment this provokes in Eddie is revealed through Eddies reference to Rodolpho as that and the assertion that hes like a weird. By weird, Eddie means homosexual.Eddie uses Rodolphos alleged femininity and homosexuality to argue against his suitability as Catherines husband. Seeking legal counsel from Alfieri, Eddie claims that Rodolpho aint right. Again he calls attention to Rodolphos platinum blond hair, as well as the high notes he hits when he sings. The thought of such an effeminate man with Catherine seems to deeply reorganise him as he admits that when I think of that guy layin his hands on her I could I mean its eatin me out. Eddie struggles for words, his incomplete and incoherent sentences revealing his pictorial anger. Hes disgusted by the idea of an effeminate homosexual touching the niece he says he seeks to protect.Given Eddies sentiments, how, then, are we to respond to him petting Rodolpho? The kiss is deeply unsettling because it is so antithetical to everything Eddie has said and done leading up to it. Millers stage directions vividly call to mind the effect when Eddie kisses Rodolpho Eddie pins his arms, laughing, and suddenly kisses him.The use of the verb pins underscores the violence and brutality of this sexual act. Its likely that the ferocity of this expression of homosexual desire corresponds with the ferocity of Eddies suppression of that desire leading up to this moment. Furthermore, his laughing suggests a frantic sense of relief. The aggressive expression of homosexual desire is incompatible with every impression we might have organize about Eddie before this moment, and we are left struggling to reconcile these two wildly disparate sides of his character.In summation, the homos exual passions and desires of Eddie Carbone are an astonishing revealing in Millers play, making them both unfathomable and memorable. Their eventual and painful expression leaves us wondering how well we know Eddie, despite having formed what appeared to be an accurate impression of him. It encourages us to consider more generally the extent to which any persons true nature is knowable when we can only observe them from the outside.