Max Prentice

11L

What is the importance of Alfieri in A View from the

Bridge and how does Miller represent him?
Right from the beginning of the play, Miller represents Alfieri as a
character with prophetic vision, always knowing what will come
next with a sense of fate and inevitability, which is a big idea in
tragedies in general. This is first highlighted at the end of Alfieris
opening speech, when he says that this ones name was Eddie
Carbone. The was makes the point that Eddie has already died
at the opening of the play, and so there is nothing the audience
can do but watch helplessly just like Alfieri: as powerless as I.
This could be the view to which the title of the play refers.
Although Alfieri is a major player, his actions have no influence,
and that coupled with his prophetic nature make him appear as a
chorus from a Greek tragedy, in which the audience were well
aware of what the fate of the hero was. It seems that the question
is not whether Eddie will die, but how he will. Alfieri can have no
effect, although he tries to stop Marco from killing Eddie, saying
only God makes justice. This also implies that neither the
American nor the Italian justice systems bring justice. He also
warns Eddie that he wont have a friend in the world! If he
informs on his wifes cousins. The stage directions tell us that he
is calling into the darkness: his words will be lost and Eddies
downfall will continue. The darkness could also represent the
fact that something tragic is about to happen, and highlights
Alfieris prophetic nature.
Another aspect to Alfieris character is, that as an ItalianAmerican lawyer, he understands the justice systems of both
societies: the black-and-white American law and the vendetta
justice served up between Italians. Due to this it can be said that
he is the bridge between the two societies with compassion
towards both sides. This is shown in the lawyers office with
Marco, when Alfieri takes one of his hands. This shows Alfieris
compassion and understanding, but the fact that he still has one
hand free shows his halved nature: he isnt sure whether to stick
to the Italian law hes been brought up with or the American law
hes been taught. Due to this balance Alfieri can make judgment
as Miller wants the audience to, saying most of the time we

Max Prentice

11L

settle for half and I like it better. This makes Millers message
clear: the American justice system is too strict, too black and
white. For a fair system a balance needs to be struck between the
American justice and the Italian morals. This is further shown
when Marco says all the law is not in a book.
Alfieris character is somewhat Brechtian in nature, breaking the
fourth wall immediately as the play begins: He speaks to the
audience distancing them emotionally and making them think
more intellectually about what they are seeing. It also makes the
audience aware at all times that they are watching a play. This
helps the audience to make judgment as part of the tragic nature
of A View from the Bridge. It was also an attempt by Miller to
escape from the mainstream American plays of the time, which
were character-driven. It could be said that Alfieri is a reflection of
Miller himself- he is telling the story after all! He says that he can
see every step coming, step after step, which adds to the idea
of fate and inevitability.