Conflicted Domesticity: A Character Study of Beatrice in 'A View from the Bridge' Anonymous 12th Grade

Beatrice is a central character in Miller’s “A View from the Bridge”. In terms of theme and significance, she acts as the glue that holds the family together and she represents the struggles of a claustrophobic domestic environment. She is shrewd and careful, desperately trying to prevent the fraying relationships from collapsing.

In one central element of her character, Beatrice is presented as caring for her family, inviting her cousins over from Italy so they can work in order to send money back to their family. Eddie describes Beatrice as having “such a heart”, helping out all of her “tired relative[s]”. This portrays Beatrice as being slightly overly caring for her family members - valuing her extended family as much as her close family. Throughout the play, Beatrice stands up for Catherine, persuading Eddie to let Catherine accept the job offer and to allow her to spend time with Rudolpho. However, Beatrice still loves her husband dearly, as she stands by him after his reputation has been ruined. At the end of the play, Beatrice decides to stick with Eddie, rather than going to the wedding and tells Catherine to “Stop it!”, when she is calling Eddie a “rat”.

Beatrice is shown to be pacifistic and level-headed, colling...