Fixed Gender Roles and Gender Tensions in A View from the Bridge Jack Springate 10th Grade

A View From the Bridge was set in the 1950s and reflects how men and women had set roles in society. Men, in the case of Eddie and Marco, are the breadwinners and paterfamilias of the family. Whilst on the other hand women should be demure, domestic, ladylike, and the caring heart of the family. They were supposed to orient themselves around the domestic sphere; their job was to stay at home to cook, clean and nurture the children. However, Miller challenges these expectations and fixed roles in his play, and does so in a manner that moves along the core conflicts and dramatic outcomes that his characters face.

There is a sense of escape from this stereotypical role when Catherine reveals that she has been offered employment from a plumbing company, the height of her aspirations to be "someday...a secretary". In addition, it is clear that in the Carbone household, nothing is done without Eddie's say; hence whether Catherine takes the job hinges on Eddie's approval. Neither of the women can challenge the right of Eddie to decide they can only encourage him. Attitudes shown by Catherine such as "what right does Eddie have to decide my future" are the sort of things that would encourage change. However at the sacrifice of a...