Arthur Miller and Dramatic Tension

Paper Summary:

In this article the the writer studies how Arthur Miller treats the issue of tension in the play 'A View From The Bridge'. The writer notes that Arthur Miller takes an already claustrophobic setting in which the characters are struggling to suppress their ever mounting problems with each other and throws in a catalyst to explode the situation and force characters to confront their problems. The writer looks at the different characters and their functions in the play and discusses how Miller uses them to create dramatic tension in particular in act one of the drama.

From the Paper:

"Using a choric figure to encourage the viewer to contemplate the morals of the play is just one of the many elements Arthur Miller has used to re-create Greek Tragedy. He also uses techniques such as the play being set in a small, claustrophobic area and the action happening in a short amount of time to create this effect. Arthur Miller has put his own mark on the play by using the un-educated, working class character of Eddie to be the tragic protagonist, as Greek tragedy has traditionally always traced the downfall of a person who was rich or had a high position in society, suggesting it was only these people who felt deep emotions and passions worth writing about."
"One of Arthur Miller's greatest achievements as a playwright and contributions to literature is the fact that he has used a simple central character from a rough area to be the tragic hero, consumed by his one fatal flaw: his incestuous love for his niece Catherine. He has succeeded in proving poor people too can have a destiny that cannot be escaped; previously only people of noble birth were considered worthy of having their problems dramatised on stage."

Sample of Sources Used:

• 'A View from the Bridge" Arthur Miller

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