Write a comparison of the ways in which marriage is presented in these two

extracts.
In A View from the Bridge, Miller presents marriage as being a restrictive trap. This can be
seen when Eddie states that A wife is supposed to believe the husband. This would
suggest that Eddie holds outmoded, patriarchal views on the concept of marriage. However,
the use of the word supposed could suggest that Beatrice is resisting the traditional roles of
marriage by defying what Eddie claims to be the truth. Much like Miller has presented
marriage as a restrictive trap, Shakespeare also portrays marriage as being constricting.
Shakespeare achieves this by presenting the complete loss of Katherinas free will. In many
ways, the relationship between Eddie and Beatrice is comparable to that of Petruchio and
Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew. Eddies view that A wife is supposed to believe the
husband. is shared by Petruchio, who claims, in response to Katherinas questioning, that
Now, by my mothers son, and thats me, it will be moon or star or whatever I want before
Ill travel to your fathers house. Shakespeare presents Petruchios restriction of Katherina as
being unflinchingly rigid. However, whereas Shakespeare presents Katherina as being
completely under the control of Petruchio, who is presented as dominating male figure,
Miller presents Eddie as a more vulnerable figure whose will can be changed by Beatrice.
This can be seen where Eddie exclaims that Its a shootin gallery in here and Im the
pigeon. Miller has extended the definition of marriage as a restrictive trap to encompass
both partners unlike Shakespeare who focuses on Katherinas restriction. The concept of
marriage being a restrictive trap is also present in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Compared to Miller, Austens views on marriage are courtlier as it is a Victorian-era text.
Victorian writers tended to focus on the restrictive nature of courtly love as opposed to
modernist writers like Miller, who were keen to explore the darker, conflicting aspects of
marriage. In Pride and Prejudice, the concept of marriage as a restrictive trap can be seen
where Mr. Bennet claims that It is very unlucky; but as I have already paid the visit, we
cannot escape the acquaintance now. Austens use of the word escape in particular
supports the view of marriage as a trap. The teasing between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet also
echoes that of Petruchio and Katherina. Mr. Bennets emotional torture of Mrs. Bennet

culminates in the complete despair of Mrs. Bennet, who cries out that I am sick of Mr.
Bingley,.
Furthermore, in Pride and Prejudice, Austen presents marriage as a competition between
fathers to claim men for their daughters. This can be seen where Mr. Bennet declares that
One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture
somebody else will. By describing the process of courting as a venture Austen is
suggesting that claiming Mr. Bingley will be a risky or daring journey. In addition to this,
through the use of the phrase One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a
fortnight. Austen has presented men as the enigmatic figure in the process of courting.
Austen also presents the competition for marriage as insufferable for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
This can be seen where Mrs. Bennet claims that At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can
tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for sakes, we would do anything.
The phrase but for sakes, we would do anything could suggest that this stage of courtship
is perceived as a form of sacrifice in the eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. The concept of
marriage and love being a sacrifice is present in the novel Ulysses by James Joyce. This
concept is existing in Molly Blooms closing soliloquy, where she exclaims that It must be
real love if a man gives up his life for her that way for nothing. Arguably, Mr. and Mrs.
Bennet are sacrificing their own life for the purpose of finding a partner for their daughters.
This could suggest that the search for marriage is an all-consuming conquest. In
continuation, in Pride and Prejudice, Austen presents also marriage as being superficial and
based on appearance, not true love. This can be seen where Mrs. Bennet claims that Lydia,
my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next
ball. Arguably, Austen has portrayed Mr. Bingley as a predatory figure who targets young,
innocent women. Austen could be suggesting how the courtly conventions of love are
detrimental to love itself.
Additionally, in A View from the Bridge, Miller presents Marriage as a cause of change. This
can be seen where Eddie claims that You used to be different, Beatrice. You had a whole
different way. Miller presents Eddie as being able to detect this change in Beatrice.
However, in Pride and Prejudice, Austen presents Mr. Bennet as being unable to cope with his
wifes emotions. This can be seen where Mr. Bennet is described as being fatigued with the

raptures of his wife. Moreover, in A View from the Bridge, Miller presents the male figure as
possessing all the sexual power in a relationship. This can be seen where Eddie claims that
What I feel like doin in the bed and what I dont feel like doin. I dont want no . Miller
presents Beatrice as being completely defeated and submissive towards Eddies sexual
power through the use of a single word response: Okay. Arguably, the character of Eddie
can be compared to Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire. Eddies forceful definition of sex is
reflective of Stanleys sexual nature which is described as the center of his life and
especially the giving and taking of it, not with weak indulgence, dependently, but with the
power and pride of a richly feathered male bird among hens. However, whereas Stanley is
respected by Blanche and Stella, Eddie feels the need to establish his position by demanding
that I want my respect!. Miller could be suggesting that sexual power is the only thing that
Eddie has left to cling onto now that his niece has been taken away from him.