Codes of honour: extracts from the text
Vinny Bolzano’s story
How does Miller show this?
Eddie and Beatrice tell the story to Catherine just before Marco and Rodolpho arrive.
Evidence
… he was no more than fourteen, cause I was to his confirmation in Saint Agnes. But the family had an uncle that they were hidin’ in the house, and he snitched to the Immigration […] Oh, it was terrible. He had five brothers and the old father. And they grabbed him in the kitchen and pulled him down the stairs – three flights his head was bouncin’ like a coconut. And they spit on him in the street, his own father and his brothers. The whole neighbourhood was cryin’.
Analysis
Miller uses this story, which is based on a true one that he was told by men working in the docks, to show how the code of silence is even more important than family. To break it means being banishedSent away by force. at the very least, or even killed.
The immigration officers’ attitude towards Eddie
How does Miller show this?
Example 1
The two officers, Dominick and Charlie, must do their job and arrest illegal immigrants if they are told about them.
Evidence
[I was born] four blocks away […] Look, girlie, if they’re all right they’ll be out tomorrow. If they’re illegal they go back where they came from […] Let’s get them in the car, Dom. [To the men.] Andiamo, Andiamo, let’s go.
Analysis
The officers speak Italian, and one says that he is from the neighbourhood. Therefore we can infer that they themselves are of Italian origin. Just because they have jobs in the Immigration Department does not mean that they approve of anybody informing on illegal immigrants. If they are aware of them, then of course they must act on the information.
Example 2
The stage directions show the First Officer’s opinion of Eddie.
Evidence
[Then First Officer turns and takes Marco’s arm and then gives a last, informative look at Eddie.]
Analysis
Evidently the immigration officer is disgusted by Eddie’s betrayal. He is like Alfieri, on the side of the written law but still silently approving of the ancient law.
Alfieri’s warning
How does Miller show this?
Alfieri tells Eddie not to take the law into his own hands.
Evidence
But I don’t think you want to do anything about that, do you?
Analysis
Alfieri, like the immigration officers, must stick to the written law, but he also understands and follows the code of silence.
Analysing the evidence
Question
How does Miller explore ideas about codes of honour in the play?
Miller looks at the way the ordinary men follow the codes of honour – of respect and of silence – through his portrayal of Eddie, Marco and Rodolpho. He also shows the points of view of people whose job is to stick to the written, American law, through his portrayal of the immigration officers and Alfieri. Although these men must remain within that law, they are shown to have huge sympathy with the ancient code of silence, and their disapproval of Eddie’s actions confirms this.