This story written by Arthur Miller really takes a reader through a wild roller coaster of emotions. My initial impression of the story was that it was a sweet tale about the bonds of fathers and daughters. Although Eddie’s character is controlling from the start, I initially had the sense that his protective instincts and warnings may have been right.

When we are initially introduced to Catherine and Eddie, I was actually trying to determine whether their relationship was romantic. Eddie is protective in a way that seems to go beyond fatherhood into a form of dominance. Surprisingly, we are soon introduced to the fact that Eddie is actually romantic with Beatrice. We see this same tone of dominance in their relationship, Beatrice seems to be walking on eggshells in order to please Eddie. As Eddie lectures Beatrice about how grateful she and her family should be for him, she wells up with tears of gratification. This is the initial clue that Beatrice’s love for Eddie seems to blind her to his manipulation and control. During dinner we are introduced to all three characters together and we watch as Eddie is able to control these two women as if they were his puppets. Eddie objects to Catherine getting a job claiming, “That ain’t what I wanted, though.” (2828) Whether it be that Eddie is self-revolved or too proud to not get what he wants, the theme of toxic masculinity begins to emerge.

The story keeps the reader on their toes, however, because Eddie’s arguments always have an element of validity. Eddie warns nearly every character about very real dangers, but his investment in whether those warnings are listened to is strange. As the cousins are introduced to the story, we find out that Catherine is the daughter of Beatrice’s sister. This is surprising information since, throughout the story, the impression was that Eddie was Catherine’s guardian.  Beatrice cares for Catherine and defends her from early in the novel, but Eddie is emotionally invested on a whole different level. To find out that Eddie is not actually even related to Catherine is very telling.

As Rodolpho and Marco enter the story, we begin to see a slight cultural clash. From the moment that Eddie meets Rodolpho he suspects him of being attracted to men. Eddie exclaims about how Rodolpho sings, cooks and makes dresses attempting to insult him and Rodolpho smiles with pride. In the life Rodolpho has lived, it is okay for men to show an interest in feminine things, but that is clearly not the case with Eddie. Cultural differences aside, Eddie’s image of what a man “should” be seems to be rooted in place. Beatrice explains the differences in Rodolpho’s Italian culture and Eddie fires back, “Then why don’t his brother sing? Marco goes around like a man; nobody kids Marco.” (2839) The mere fact that it is possible for an Italian man to be masculine infuriates Eddie because Rodolpho chooses to be who he is in a society where he has the option of following the “norm”.

Eddie seems to have locked himself in a prison. It drives him mad that Rodolpho is so sure of himself because Eddie is absolutely terrified of who he is. Eddie can’t connect with his own self; his desires, fears, regrets, dreams. Eddie grasps to get a hold of anything in order to keep from going insane in these constraints he puts on his own mind. Catherine very kindly and sweetly presents that she wishes to marry and Eddie’s true thoughts are revealed with Alfieri as he explodes; “He’s stealing from me!” (2848) in regards to Rodolphos courtship of Catherine.

Although Catherine is not related to Eddie in any way, it is clear at this point that he views her as his property or possession. Rodolpho is the one to draw this connection as he is speaking to Catherine, “I am not a beggar, and you are not a horse, a gift, a favor for a poor immigrant.” (2855). At first I thought Rodolpho’s anger at her question of whether he would return to Italy was suspicious but I came to realize his anger came from his defense of both of their dignity. Rodolpho knows who he is and he can see that Catherine does too but Eddie is the one thing that causes her to doubt herself.

Eddie’s hold on masculinity and control force him into a deep hole and he loses Catherine as he begins to attack Beatrice for attending the wedding. It is as if Catherine is able to see the spell Eddie casts on Beatrice forcing her to tend to his wishes, and she begins to see the spell that he has put on her. Catherine explodes, “Who the hell do you think you are?” (2868) in the midst of an argument rattling everyone. Catherine has barely spoken back to Eddie the whole story and she has finally had enough. This explosion leads the three characters on a dialogue about what Eddie truly wants and this is when it becomes clear that Beatrice has always known of Eddies desire for Catherine.

Beatrice and Catherine’s relationship is the most touching of the entire story. As we come to find out that Beatrice has known all along that Eddie has been in love with Catherine, we reflect back to everything Beatrice did to support them all and keep the family together. Beatrice gives Catherine advice on how she can’t act like a little girl anymore and “You gotta give him to understand that he can’t give you orders no more” (2844). There is no jealousy or hatred coming from Beatrice, she truly loves them both. Beatrice wants Catherine to be free and she hopes once she sets her free she might return to a normal life with Eddie. Beatrice comforts Eddie as he dies in her arms despite the fact that he has become a monster. Although Eddie’s toxic masculinity ate him from the inside out, he is not the hero of the story. Beatrice knew the truth from the beginning and despite the horror of reality she fought to protect the people she loved until the very end. Beatrice is the hero of this story.