A View from the Bridge

What this page covers

This page is a collection of study material on one play. Most of it is mind maps, and they split into three kinds: character maps, theme maps and whole-play overviews. Alongside them you will find notes on the plot of each act, flashcard decks of quotations, a flowchart and a slide set on the characters.

Where to start

Begin with an overview so the shape of the play is clear. The mind map that opens with Alfieri setting the scene in Act 1 is a good first step. The mind map on tragedy, structure, language and symbolism shows how the play is built.

1. Read the notes on the plot of Act 1 and the notes on the plot of Act 2.
2. Open the character maps for Eddie Carbone, Catherine, Beatrice, Rodolpho, Marco and Alfieri.
3. Move on to the theme maps, such as A View From The Bridge: Justice and The Law and A View From The Bridge: Respect and Reputation.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then test yourself. There are only a few quizzes here, so they work best as checkpoints. Critical Essay Quotes- A View from the Bridge asks you to recognize quotations, which suits essay planning. After a quiz, go back to the map for any character or theme you missed and add the detail to your own notes.

Quotations and flashcards

Several flashcard decks collect quotations, some grouped by character and some by theme. A View from the Bridge Quotes sets out each main character, including how they change. The mind map of key quotes includes the line about getting back a million dollars sooner than a word you gave away. Use the decks for short, regular sessions.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the Drama strand of the Literature subject. Teachers can use the maps and slide set as ready-made starting points for a lesson. When you are ready, pick one character, work through its maps and take a quiz.