A View from the Bridge Theme of Dreams, Hopes, and Plans

Everything looks bright and sunny at the beginning of A View from the Bridge. A man's life's work is about to finally pay off. A young girl is about to embark on a new career. Two immigrants have come to live the American Dream. But, this is a tragedy. So, by the end of the play, most every beautiful thing they hoped for has been systematically destroyed.

1. Is it Eddie's dream or Catherine's that she become a secretary?
2. What are Beatrice's dreams?
3. How are each character's dreams affected by Eddie's actions?
4. Compare and contrast Marco and Rodolpho's dreams. What do their different goals say about them as human beings?

The play makes the argument that the American Dream is being given the chance to work.

By following her own dreams, Catherine takes her first steps to becoming a woman.