View From a Bridge Past Paper Questions

Re-read page 28 What impressions of Eddie do we receive from this extract?(5) How do you think an audience would respond to this part of the play?(5)

Model Answer(Foundation) Eddie seems concerned that he has been overlooked and not ‘respected’ by Rodolfo. He is a person who feels that respect is very important and talks about it a lot during the play. He is afraid that Catherine is being conned and is overprotective of her, unwilling for her to make her own judgements and her own mistakes. He is obviously a caring man who loves Catherine but is unwilling to let her go. He goes as far as to say that she is ‘breaking his heart’. He is becoming more desperate and beginning to panic at losing Catherine.

Model Answer(Foundation) An audience would sympathise with both Eddie and Catherine here. We would feel that Eddie is wrong and that he is upsetting Catherine unnecessarily, but we would understand his love for her and protectiveness. His behaviour does seem panicky and we would worry how it might develop. Catherine seems respectful towards Eddie and we would feel sorry to see her so distressed by the end of the extract, being pulled in different ways by her feelings.

Beatrice Beatrice could be accused of weakness for her behaviour in the play. Is this how you see her? Write about her character in the play as a whole. (20)

Plan First impressions- nervous, anxious(Cath’s job, cousins arriving) Positive features_ kind, warm, home-making, supportive of Catherine and Eddie, unselfish, peacemaker. Troubles begin- loyal to Eddie, supportive of Catherine and Rodolfo Is she weak as troubles escalate? Does she try too hard to keep everyone happy? Does she fail Catherine by sticking by Eddie? With Eddie at end of the play. Does this show her real strength – ability to forgive and stay loyal?

Read again Page 61 What impression would an audience get of the character of Beatrice from this section?(5) How would an audience be expected to feel at this point of the play?(5)

Read again Page 24 What impression would an audience get of the relationship between Eddie and Beatrice from this extract? (5) How would an audience be expected to feel at this point of the play?(5)

Model Answer