A View From the Bridge: Context

Historical and Social Context

Arthur Miller wrote “A View From The Bridge” in the mid-1950s, providing a snapshot of society at the time.
The play reflects the poverty and struggle of Italian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York.
The Italian culture and its laws of honour, loyalty, and family respect are contrasted against the American ideals of individualism and capitalism.
Immigration laws were very strict during Miller’s time, casting an ominous shadow on the lives of immigrants like the characters in the play.

The Influence of Greek Tragedy

The theatre genre of Greek Tragedy has a significant impact on Miller’s writing.
Greek Tragedies often involve a tragic hero, who suffers downfall due to their tragic flaw, comparable to the character of Eddie.
The use of a chorus, represented by Alfieri, was common in Greek Tragedies. A chorus informs the audience about the events, adds perspective and attempts to reason, but usually, remains powerless to change the tragic outcome.
A clear sense of fate and inevitability threads through the play. Like a Greek Tragedy, the audience anticipates a tragic ending.

Arthur Miller’s Personal Context

Miller had first-hand experience of the Brooklyn docklands and immigrant communities, bringing authenticity to the settings in “A View from The Bridge”.
His interest in the rights of the individual versus the community stemmed from the political investigations of the House Un-American Activities Committee, who targeted him during the McCarthy era.
Miller’s own tragic marriage to Marilyn Monroe may have influenced his depiction of strained relationships and illicit emotions in the play.
The play functions as Miller’s critique of the American Dream, showing devastating consequences when individuals upset the balance of personal desire and societal norms.

Cultural Significance

“A View From The Bridge” is considered a seminal work in American literature, highlighting pertinent social issues of its time.
It speaks to themes of identity, masculinity, love, and the American Dream — concepts that are still relevant today.
High on dramatic tension, the play conveys a timeless message about the destructiveness of unregulated passion and the perils of obsession, making it a perennial study in literature syllabi.

Examining Masculinity

The play explores varied aspects of masculinity, which was a pressing issue in 1950s society.
Eddie’s traditional, working-class interpretation of manliness clashes with Rodolpho’s more fluid, modern masculinity.
It brings attention to how societal expectations around masculinity impact relationships, familial harmony, and individual wellbeing.