Eddie

Eddie

1. Characteristics

   • Hard working " I worked like a dog twenty years"
     • He's about "forty- a husky, slightly overweight longshoreman"
   • Generous " we got plenty of room"
     • He took his niece, Catherine, as if she was his own child, showing he's generous and compassionate
   • Controlling " you can't be so friendly kid"
   • Jealous
     • His jealousy makes him act out of character when he reports then cousins to immigration

2. Him and Beatrice have a complex relationship

   • At the beginning of the play...
     • Eddie shows genuine concern for Beatrice and doesn't want her cousIns to take advantage of her- "she's got too big a heart"
     • He also respects her opinions and let's Catherine go to work when Beatrice pleads with him
     • Beatrice dotes on Eddie, calling him an "Angel" and holding his face in her hands
   • As the play goes on there are cracks in there marriage...
     • When Eddie realises Catherine will soon leave home, and Beatrice tries to comfort him, he "turns his head away", rejecting her affection
     • It's clear that their relationship has not been sexual for months when Beatrice asks, "When am I gonna be a wife again, Eddie."

3. Themes

   • Family
     • Eddies is a farther figure to Catherine. However, as his role in her life becomes unclear, his relationship as a husband to Beatrice also weakens.
   • Men & Women
     • Eddie believes that men should be manly and in charge of the household. Having the "respect" of his family is important to him.