Question: Discuss the representation of the inner struggle of a character as s/he grapples with the imposition of social norms.
What are social norms? They are the standards to society patterns or customs. There are many individuals who possess a hamartia struggling with their inner self and much of the time, it is due to these obligations of social norms. A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller illustrates the inner struggles of a person as they grapple with these impositions of social customs during the 1950s and with the extent of the character, Eddie, Miller expresses these inner conflicts. Many techniques were used to represent these struggles such as staging and action devices, and conversations with Alfieri, demonstrating his inner turmoil. Such norms which have influenced him to do this are his jealousy over Rodolpho, due to his affection towards his niece Catherine, hence, the immorality of incest. Complications were introduced as Eddie also needed to conform to his traditional Italian values. .
The representation of social norms is vilified in the play. This is because it seems that social norms and his downfall are what possibly caused Eddie's death. Before he died, he was in a struggle with Marco, to win back his "name": .
"Now gimme my name and we go together to the wedding". .
After this, the audience observes how Marco and Eddie take it out on each other; however, Eddie finally falls to his own blade. After this incident, the viewer would see the social norm of Eddie's need to conform to ideas about respect. Name is bad as Eddie is seen as a dramatic hero, positioning the audience to often feel as though social norms in the 1950s is what caused Eddie's death, a hero's death. .
Eddie's attempt to grapple with his need to conform to ideas about respect and name causes him to have an inner struggle within him as he began to resist and deny his emotions. There was a narrow perspective on male behavior, as in the 1950s society they were not allowed to express their emotions strongly.
