Are the Characters in Arthur Miller’s Play ‘a View from the Bridge’ Influenced by Social or Personal Factors?

“Human beings can attain a worthy and harmonious life only if they are able to rid themselves, within the limits of human nature, of the striving for the wish fulfilment of material kinds. The goal is to raise the spiritual values of society.” Albert Einstein. Einstein implies that humans can only obtain true value in life when they liberate themselves of the need for personal desires and feelings, and strive for the principles of society. Arthur Miller’s play ‘A View from the Bridge’ is based on characters whose actions and relationships are influenced strongly by social as well as personal factors. It is certain that the cultural clash between the poor Italian immigrants and the American residents has an immense impact on the unravelling plot, more so than personal issues between the characters. Eddie’s inappropriate feelings for his niece, Catherine, are the first signs of the upcoming tragedy. Even though his extreme possessiveness is unique to him, his attitude undoubtedly borders that of a protective, suspicious, restricting and dominant patriarchal figure, which is a culturally defined character. The ideas of honour portrayed in the play are varied according to the background culture of the characters. Eddie believes in getting ‘his name’ back, after Marco accuses him of betrayal. This portrays the social pressure upon Eddie, for he is mortified that the neighbourhood thinks him a traitor. Marco himself is offended by Eddie’s decision to deceive the brothers, and so humiliates him. There are certain clashes between the different Laws from diverse cultures; the Old Italian Law which the brothers live by (especially Marco) and the New American Law, which the Carbone’s live by. These events illustrate the intensity of the cultural stress upon all characters, so leading to the tragic end of Eddie Carbone.
Eddie bizarre feelings towards Catherine may well be viewed as personal, but it is clear that the dominant patriarchal figure he portrays is culturally