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The language used by Miller in A View from the Bridge consists of stage directions and dialogue. It soon becomes obvious that, apart from Alfieri, who is educated, all the characters speak in a Brooklyn slang, with many words left unfinished and incorrect grammatical sentences. This has the effect of setting the characters firmly in Red Hook, the working-class district of New York inhabited by dockworkers and their families. The stage directions are very detailed and allow the actors to convey the feelings that Miller wanted them to show.

The dialogue makes the drama in A View from the Bridge. There are times when the characters are simply chatting easily about life and experiences, and at these times the language is natural. At other times when the language becomes more strident and violent, it is to show the increasing tension between the characters. The language reaches almost animal-like levels near the end when the Eddie and Marco are howling insults at each other.

The dramatic features of dialogue in a play include the following:

• the use of slang and double negatives
• interruptions and exclamations
• dramatic pauses
• longer speeches
• stage directions

When analysing the language used in the play, you should concentrate on what is said; how it is said and the effect this has on the audience.

Evidence and explanation of the language used

The use of slang and double negatives

How?

Eddie says to Catherine, You’ll never get nowhere unless you finish school. You can’t take no job. In New York dialect, it is common for uneducated speakers to use a double negative.

Beatrice says, She’s askin’ you now, she didn’t take nothin’ yet.

Why?

Miller has used this technique throughout the play to make the characters sound realistic. It emphasises their lack of education and that they remain among their fellow Italian immigrants who speak in this way.

Effect on audience

If the characters spoke without an accent and made no grammatical errors we would not believe in them so easily. We can compare the way Eddie and his family speak with the way Alfieri speaks; he still has an American accent but he makes no errors and pronounces his words correctly. Therefore we accept him as an authority figure.

Interruptions and exclamations

How?

When Catherine is asking Eddie’s permission to take the job, saying, Eddie, you won’t believe it – , he interrupts with, No – no, you gonna finish school.

Later on, Eddie exclaims about Rodolpho: He’s a cook, too!

Why?

This shows how Eddie considers his way is the only way. He is authoritarian in his insistence on Catherine finishing her course.

Eddie is trying to build a case against Rodolpho to show that he has what could be considered womanly traits.

Effect on audience

Miller uses this interruption early on in the play to let the audience see that Eddie can be domineering with the women in his life.

The effect on the audience is subtle. They would enjoy Eddie’s sarcastic remark because it is quite funny, but it is effective because there is an underlying unpleasantness about Eddie’s attitude to Rodolpho.

Dramatic pauses

How?

At the very end of Act one, Marco challenges Eddie to a contest of strength. He invites him to lift a chair by its leg. When Eddie fails, Marco simply says, Here. He then proceeds to lift the chair above his head as he would with a weapon.

Why?

As the lights go down at the end of the first act, the tension is high and the audience are prepared for a great power struggle.

Effect on audience

There would usually be an interval at the end of Act one, and the audience have been placed in a state of nervous anticipation, since Eddie’s struggle has now shifted from Rodolpho to Marco. The audience are left wondering how this battle of wills can be resolved.

Longer speeches

How?

Alfieri’s speeches are the longest in the play, but sometimes other characters are given a lot to say at once. For example, when Beatrice is telling Catherine to behave more appropriately, Miller gives her a longer speech; I’m tellin’ you, I’m not makin’ a joke. I tried to tell you a couple of times in the last year or so... so you’ll act different now, heh?

Why?

By giving Beatrice a lot to say to Catherine here, Miller is able to show her deepest feelings. Beatrice is being kind and sensitive, as usual, but she knows that she must act now before it is too late.

Effect on audience

The audience sees Beatrice asserting herself here. She is normally quiet and does not stand up for herself, but on a few occasions she does. This is one of those times.

Stage directions

How?

When the Immigration Officers take Marco and Rodolpho away, the stage direction says: For an instant there is silence. Then First Officer turns and takes Marco’s arm and then gives a last, informative look at Eddie.

Why?

Miller uses the stage directions to help the actors, but also to convey meaning to the audience through actions. Here it is clear that the Immigration Officer is expressing an opinion without using words.

Effect on audience

The audience can see from the actions of the Officer that he is disgusted by Eddie’s betrayal. Even though it is his job to arrest illegal immigrants, he still understands and respects the code of silence. His look is more effective than words, as the audience looks at Eddie for his reaction.