In this scene it is important to notice that the tension generated comes from the contrast between Eddie's passionate, emotional outbursts of self-expression and Alfieri's professional, disciplined restraint. Eddie comes to Alfieri because as he says, 'my father always said you were a smart man, ' and part of him is aware he needs assistance, but he does not come to learn or seek advice. He comes to have his own version of Rodolfo and Catherine's behaviour endorsed, and to make use of the law to stop Rodolfo from marrying Catherine. At one stage he says to Alfieri: 'I'm tryin’ to bring out my thoughts here.' Bringing out his thoughts is something Eddie finds very difficult to do. He is, for example, unable to 'bring out his thoughts' about his sexual difficulties with Beatrice, so this talk with Alfieri is a stressful moment for Eddie. Unfortunately, 'bringing out his thoughts' cannot help him as it might help others. His thoughts are expressed with an aggressive, morbid conviction that will brook no challenge. Eddie seems unable to examine the plausibility of what he is saying. He seems frightened of any alternative interpretation of events, because he has so much personal stake in what he is claiming to be truth.
Eddie believes that Rodolfo is trying to trap Catherine into marrying him so he can stay in America. Eddie advances three pieces of evidence for this claim:
he can ‘see it in his eyes.’
he knows what’s in his mind;
Rodolfo spends money when most people in his position save it.
The first two claims are, as Alfieri implies, not provable, so we cannot take them seriously. It is noticeable that both statements are passionate expressions conviction that cannot be replied to, rationally. The third claim, however, bears some investigation.
One plausible interpretation of Rodolfo’s behaviour is that he is young, is in love, is living for the moment, and does not think practically about the future.
Eddie’s statement:
‘So it must be that he’s got it all laid out in his mind already --- he’s stayin’ right?’
is not outside the bounds of possibility, but what is distressing about the statement is that it, like the first two claims, is expressed as a certainty, not a possibility. Eddie’s ‘logic’ shuts out other interpretations of events. He wants and needs to believe in his own interpretation, for reasons that become clear later in the scene. His tone is one of triumph at the clinching of an argument. The triumph is, however, tinged with uncertainty.
‘right?’ shows he is looking for some assent from Alfieri. With assent comes vindication, and the establishment of Alfieri as an ally.
Alfieri’s reply is no more than
‘‘well’ what about it?’
‘Well’ does not signify any assent, but what happens next seems to suggest
that Eddie has taken it that way, because he becomes more confiding. Both the stage directions and his words suggest this.
Eddie: I mean it don’t go no place but here. But I don’t like to say this about anybody.Even my wife I didn’t exactly say this.
Alfieri: What is it?
Eddie (takes a breath and glances briefly over each shoulder): the guy ain’t right Mr. Alfieri.
The care Eddie takes in positioning himself, in looking round, together with his assertion
‘It don’t go no place but here’
suggests that he finds the matter he wants to raise extremely difficult to speak about, so difficult that he is unable to give it its name – homosexuality. Perhaps he has not heard the word itself. All he can do is to express his idea as a negative statement
‘He ain’t right’
which implies there is only one way to be sexually, and that any other way is wrong. The problem for Eddie is that the statement is too vague for Alfieri to be certain of its meaning, so he replies with a straightforward, unambiguous
‘I don’t get you.’
Eddie is now forced to try again, but instead of being unambiguous, he talks about Rodolfo’s hair.
‘He’s a blond guy.---like -------- platinum, you know what I mean?
Eddie seems to hope that Alfieri will understand the intended meaning behind the statement. It is as if, in Eddie’s mind, everybody knows that having blond hair indicates homosexuality.
Alfieri’s blunt ‘no’ forces Eddie to come up with a popular, jocular description:
‘I mean if you close the paper fast, --- you could blow him over.’
Alfieri finally understands, and begins to challenge Eddie’s claim, but eddie interrupts himand will not let him speak, because now that Alfieri understands, Eddie is determined to express all his beliefs, fears and helpless rage.
