Notesale: Turn your study into money

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Choose a play in which the playwright presents a flawed character who you feel is more worthy of
our sympathy than criticism
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The main character Eddie Carbone is a longshoreman with a strong sense of honour but throughout
the play Eddie reveals his flawed nature
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To begin the play local lawyer Alfieri, who tells the story
in a sequence of flashback, explains to the audience that justice and the law are often dealt with
separately in the Red Hook area
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The audience are given subtle clues of Eddie’s flawed nature early on in act one when Eddie is overly
protective of Catherine, his niece who lives with him and his wife Beatrice
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At the beginning of the text
Catherine gets a new dress of which Eddie does not approve of because he thinks it is too short and
will attract the wrong attention
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”
Eddie is so critical of her clothing and behaviour because he wants to emphasise his authority
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Eddie is upset by this news because he
struggles to let go as Catherine is becoming more independent
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Why didn’t you ask me before you take a job?”
Eddie starts to get irritated that Catherine is maturing and he can no longer be in control of her
which emphasised that he struggles to manage his own feelings implying this could cause him
trouble as the play goes on
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As the cousins arrive into New York
Catherine’s reaction to meeting Rodolpho triggers Eddie to feel hostile and aggressive towards him
as he shows his obvious connection with Catherine
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Eddie’s desperate need for
Catherine’s love fuels a hate towards Rodolpho and could cause him to take action against him
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Eddie acts jealous towards Rodolpho because of his deep feelings for
Catherine
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“He marries you he’s got the right to be an American citizen
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”
Eddie later informs Alfieri of this in hope that it could be dealt with through the law
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There is

nothing Alfieri can do about Catherine being in love with Rodolpho, it is purely up to Eddie to resolve
his matters
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”
He then receives advice from Alfieri telling him that he has to stop loving Catherine so much
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This makes you feel sympathy for Eddie as he just doesn’t want Catherine to leave him
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He does
this by teaching him how to box
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Again showing his flawed nature through his obsession to protect Catherine
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Marco lifts up a chair with one hand from the ground, then
holds it above Eddie in a threatening manner
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”
Marco’s behaviour made the audience realise that he is much stronger than Eddie
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In the second act Eddie finally loses control over his emotions and his flaws are revealed in the
‘double kiss scene’ when after Catherine and Rodolpho being left alone in the house, Eddie returns
drunk
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When Eddie then kisses
both Catherine and Rodolpho it is much unexpected
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“He reaches out suddenly, draws her to him, and as she strives to free herself he kisses her on the
mouth
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“Eddie pins his arms, laughing and suddenly kisses him
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Alfieri is aware of the bad that
has happened, the troubles and splitting up of Eddie’s family
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Eddie becomes obsessed with wanting his ‘name
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Eddie visits Alfieri in hope to seek advice
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Her role at this point in the play is to try and calm
Eddie down but this fails because there is no way to stop him as he is determined to get his respect
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”
It is made clear that Eddie is unstoppable at this point as he will do anyth``ing to gain his name
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Marco shows extreme anger and distrust in Eddie for betraying
him and his brother
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”
This action is significant because it conveys complete dishonour and disgust in the family which was
exactly what Eddie feared would happen and his attempts to protect his family have failed, and
because of his flawed nature he has completely lost the respect of those around him, making you
sympathise with him
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Marco
and Eddie are in conflict throughout the scene as they want both want respect and revenge
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“Eddie lunges with the knife
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”
Obvious signs of complete loss of control drive Eddie insane with his mission for respect and power
in his life
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Although Eddie’s actions were overly aggressive, the audience feels some sympathy for him because
he died trying to protect his family and his respect
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Eddie at the start of the play is in control with his honour
but over time deteriorates into an uncontrollable character who obsesses over respect and loyalty to
his family which fuel his actions, he later loses all respect from his family which makes the audience
feel sympathy towards him

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