How does the language and stage directions of this section reveal the :: English Literature

How does the language and stage directions of this section reveal the tensions between the two characters. How does the language and stage directions of this section reveal the tensions between the two characters. How far does the section prepare the audience for what is about to happen? From the opening stage directions you get a very clear indication of what Miller is trying to show about Eddie. His flat is described as clean, sparse and homely. The use of a phone box in the set is relevant as the audience can expect it to be used in an important way in the future. After Alfieri’s opening speech there are hints that all is not right and this leads the audience to think about the future. â€Å"A distant foghorn blows.† This gives a sense of impending disaster as the foghorn conveys confusion, a foghorn is used when you cannot see where you are going which is a lot like Eddie in the later stages of the play. As Alfieri is rounding off the opening speech he states: â€Å"sat there powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course.† The audience knows the future will contain blood and tragedy. Towards Catherine, Eddie is fatherly and protective. When Catherine first says hello to Eddie the stage direction says that he id pleased and therefore shy about it. Catherine wants to hear Eddie’s approval of new skirt as his opinion means a lot to her. He calls her beautiful and states: if your mother was alive to see you now, she wouldn’t believe it. This is a relevant statement as he again later refers to her dead mother. Eddie is worried about the way Catherine walks and this leads to him saying â€Å"you aint all the girls,† he believes she is his girl. He brings her to tears in this argument and he then states â€Å"I promised your mother on her deathbed,† and â€Å"you’re a baby.† He constantly mentions his duty to her dead mother so she will do as he says. At this early stage of the play the audience is probably not aware of the fact Eddie has major feelings for Catherine, yet they are able to pick up on certain things in the language and stage directions. The stage directions give a clue to the actor how to present the lines. Beatrice and Eddie’s relationship is not one of a happily married couple. After she hears the news that her cousins have landed she states: â€Å"Im worried about you,† leading the audience to think why this could be and may be due to problems.