Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
This section should probably be labeled "supposed" homosexuality. Miller never tells us if Rodolfo is gay or not. Eddie, however, is sure of it. To our disgruntled longshoreman, several different things about Rodolfo make him certain that the young man is gay. Let us count the ways: singing, dancing, sewing, cooking, and having blond hair. Blond hair? Really? This all seems like a pretty weak case to us. It never seems to occur to Eddie that a guy like Rodolfo could possibly be straight. Could it be that Eddie is just looking for an excuse not to like his niece's boyfriend? Or is Eddie right? Are these signs symbolic of Rodolfo's secret attraction to men?