Scene 1 (pg. 3-18)

3

(tenement building)

A type of residential building comprised of multiple smaller living units; typically not very spacious or luxurious

 

3

(portable phonograph)

A device that reproduces sounds through the vibrations of a stylus, usually by that stylus following the groove of a spinning disc; a record player with its own sound amplifier

 

3

(longshoremen)

Waterfront manual laborers who load and unload cargo from ships (see Background: Historical Context section of website for more)

 

3

(pitching coins)

Also called “pitching pennies”; a gambling game in which pennies are tossed at a wall to bounce off of, and whoever the penny lands closest to wins the coin

 

3

(foghorn)

A (usually) waterside device that uses its distinct, low, blaring sound to warn ships of navigational hazards, such as other ships, coastlines, or fog

 

3

"since the Greeks were beaten”

Starting in the 3rd century BCE, the Roman Republic gradually subdued the Greek city-states in southern Italy, known as Magna Graecia; the Greeks had colonized/occupied Italy for hundreds of years previously

 

4

Al Capone

Full name Alphonse Gabriel Capone (1899-1947); a notorious Italian-American gangster from Chicago who led the crime organization the Chicago Outfit from 1925-1931

 

4

Carthaginian

Refers to someone or something from the ancient Phoenician city of Carthage, located on the coast of northern Africa, in what is now the country of Tunisia; a long-term rival of the Roman Empire; finally defeated by Rome in the Third Punic War (149-146 BCE)

*Al Capone being called “the greatest Carthaginian of all” refers to how “he put up a great fight but was eventually beaten” and imprisoned, as Carthage was similarly a powerful enemy ultimately defeated by the Empire (BBC Bitesize)

 

4

Frankie Yale

Full name/born Francesco Ioele (1893-1928); Italian-born American gangster who operated out of Brooklyn; former employer and long-time friend of Al Capone, Yale eventually double-crossed him and was allegedly murdered  on Capone’s orders via submachine gun during a car chase across Brooklyn

 

4

Red Hook

A Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge; known for maritime business and the Red Hook Houses (Depression-era subsidized housing for Brooklynites)

 

4

Brooklyn Bridge

A New York City bridge connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn; completed in 1883; first steel-wire suspension bridge and features now-iconic double cathedral windows

 

4

“some Caesar’s year”; Calabria; “the cliff at Syracuse”

Some Caesar’s year refers to any time of the Roman emperors; Calabria is a region of southern Italy, separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina; there were high, rocky cliffs that defined the edges of the city of Syracuse, the chief Greek city of ancient Sicily, that were steeped in legend

(Alfieri is saying the case of Eddie Carbone is so familiar that it could have happened back in the time of the Roman Empire 2000 years ago during the time of high classic tragedy)

 

4

breakwater

A man-made structure meant to minimize the impact that waves have on shorelines and harbors

 

6

“the willies”

Feelings of nervousness, apprehension, or discomfort; the jitters

 

6

“walkin’ wavy”

Referring to a woman walking in a flirtatious manner or a way that attracts attention, where her hips sway like waves

 

7

“knockin’ off work”

To leave work at the end of the day

(The term comes from the 1800s when factories signaled the end of the work day with a bell, hammer or wooden mallet)

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North River

The southernmost section of the Hudson River that goes along Manhattan in New York City

 

7

“regular seamen papers”

Official documents/credentials that certify the possessor’s (Marco and Rodolpho) identity and qualifications to work at sea and essential for employment and travel across international borders

 

10

stenographer

A specialized typist who records spoken language in real time using shorthand or a stenotype machine that is not as broad of a role as a secretary

 

11

Nostrand Avenue; "by the Navy Yard"

A bustling New York City neighborhood of significant economic activity in the 1950s associated with working-class life

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13

“a madonna”; “the madonna type”

Representing the purity, maternal love and spiritual devotion of the traditional Virgin Mary in Christianity

 

14

“crosses himself”

Doing the sign of the cross (verbally and/or physically) in Christianity before a meal by touching the thumb/pointer/middle fingers of the right hand to the forehead, heart, left shoulder, and then right shoulder; Italian Catholics often then kiss the aforementioned three fingers

 

14

“down in the hold”

A deep compartment within the hull of a ship where cargo is stored

 

14

Buick

A substantial U.S. automobile that signified post-war prosperity and aspiration that conveyed a sense of heft and middle-class status

 

15

Immigration Bureau

The government agency within the Department of Justice that was responsible for enforcing laws regarding immigration

(The organization was defined in the 1950s by the McCarran-Walter Act that maintained discriminatory national-origins quotas, significant refugee admissions for Cold War escapees, and controversial round-ups of Mexican nationals; also gave preference to skilled workers and relatives of U.S. citizens; allowed the government to deport non-citizens if they were suspected of communist activities or affiliations and possible deportation of naturalized citizens)

 

15

“stool pigeons”

A spy or informant who betrays others, often to the authorities

 

15

“You think I’m blowin’ steam here?”

In line with the more commonly known phrase “blowing smoke,” meaning to confuse and mislead someone

 

16

confirmation

One of the seven sacraments in Catholicism; when a practitioner is recognized as a fully initiated member of the Church (usually before the age of 16); must be baptized and make first communion prior

 

16

Saint Agnes

Referring to the Church of Saint Agnes on East 43rd Street in Manhattan, NY; established in 1873

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17

“pieced off”

To be bribed or given a share of illicit profits in exchange for cooperation or silence

 

17

“one of the mates”

One of the crew members on the ship that transported Marco and Rodolpho

 

17

“a little bite”

Referring to Tony’s small payment for his discretion/helping the immigrants

 

17

“the syndicate’ll fix jobs for them”

The mafia has paid for the cousins’ crossing and will find jobs for them as long as they still owe them the money​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Scene 2 (pg. 18-27)

18

(valise)

A small suitcase or travelling bag

 

20

“A thousand years ago, they say, the Danes invaded Sicily.”

There is no official historical event in which Danes invaded Sicily, however, there were some who fought as mercenaries for other invaders, such as the Norman conquest of Sicily between 1061-1091; the Normans were descendants of Vikings who had settled in northern France

 

21

piazza

Pronounced pee-AHTS-uh; a public square in an Italian town

 

21

lire

Pronounced LEE-ruh; the form of currency that Italy used before switching to the Euro in 2002

 

23

“it’s no skin off me”

It has no affect; the outcome of the situation doesn’t matter to Eddie because he says he has no stake in it

 

24

baritone

A male singing voice between the high tenor and lower bass registers, making it the most common male voice type

 

24

arias

Solo voice pieces, often elaborate, found in an opera or other large solo work

 

25

Napolidan

A genre of popular music with deep historical and cultural roots in Naples, Italy; the singing style is associated with the passion, emotion and vocal power of opera, but can also be more intimate and delicate

 

25

bel canto

Translated as “beautiful singing” from Italian; a lyrical style of Italian opera from the 18th and 19th centuries that focuses on bringing out the beauty and purity of the voice and emotional impact

 

25

“Paper Doll”

A 1948 hit song by The Mills Brothers; paper dolls reflected idealized roles for women in society throughout different eras

(“Paper Doll” is the nickname given to Rodolpho by the other longshoremen because of his high-pitched singing and perceived effeminacy, which Eddie uses to attack his masculinity; the lyrics reflect Eddie’s possessiveness of Catherine, wanting a doll to call “your own” that can’t be “stolen” when he sees her connecting with Rodolpho)

 

25

(a high tenor voice)

A male voice type characterized by a high range, with a lighter, brighter quality that other tenors

 

26

“picked up”

Getting arrested and taken into custody by immigration authorities for being in the country illegally

 

26

“What’s the high heels for, Garbo?”

Referring to Swedish-American actress and cultural icon, Greta Garbo, who was one of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age and known for her alluring mystique and reclusiveness

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Scene 3 (pg. 27-38)

27

“a long show at the Paramount”

The Brooklyn Paramount was a movie theatre from 1928-1962 and a significant part of Brooklyn’s cultural landscape

 

27

“They must’ve seen every picture in Brooklyn by now.”

An older term for a movie, i.e. a moving picture

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27

“the heeby-jeebies”

A feeling of fear or nervousness, sometimes associated with the sensation of one’s skin crawling

 

30

“taking her for a ride”

Being deceived, cheated or tricked into a disadvantageous situation

 

30

submarines

A historical slang term used around the New York waterfront to refer to illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. undetected, such as Marco and Rodolpho

 

30

“come in under the water”

Referring to how immigrants literally arrived as stowaways or crew members on ships who disembarked illegally; they were often helped by corrupt union bosses and contractors on the docks who would find them jobs in exchange for kickbacks

 

30

the Matson Line

A major passenger and cargo shipping company

 

31

“He’s got a sense of humor”; “He’s funny”; “he’s always like makin’ remarks like, y’know?”

Implying that Rodolpho is effeminate, flamboyant, or homosexual

 

31

Moore-MacCormack Line

A major steamship operator with a global presence known for pioneering trade routes and innovations in cargo and passenger shipping

 

32

“I just don’t want her hangin’ around Times Square, see? It’s full of tramps over there.”

Expressing a feeling of social disorder, danger and decay in Times Square, reflecting public perception of an area with a growing number of transient, unemployed and potentially threatening people

 

33

“He blesses you, and you don’t talk to him hardly.”

Blessing someone was a common gesture of well-wishing and politeness, where it would be considered rude, bad manners, and a sign of disrespect to ignore it; Italian culture in the 1950s was characterized by strong religious traditions and community ties; blessings were exchanged between family members, close friends and within tight-knit communities

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34

“That’s a hit-and-run guy, baby”

A slang term from the 1950s to describe a man who was not interested in a long-term, serious relationship, particularly marriage; a person would “hit” (get what they wanted) and then “run” (leave or abandon their partner)

 

35

“They been pullin’ this since the Immigration Law was put in!”

Eddie implies illegal immigrant males were increasingly marrying women just to become U.S. citizens after the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952; this law simplified the process for a non-citizen to naturalize and gave equitable preference to both male and female spouses of U.S. citizens; before the law, a foreign husband did not automatically gain citizenship through his U.S. citizen wife

 

35

“a green kid”

A young, naïve, and inexperienced person who can be easily manipulated

 

38

“I’m just bawlin’ him out”

To scold or reprimand someone loudly and severely

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Scene 4 (pg. 38-44)

39

“take every penny and put it in the sock”

To save money by hiding it in a secure, informal place like a sock, rather that depositing it in a bank, suggesting a practice of caution associated with a distrust of formal institutions

 

40

“The guy ain’t right”

Eddie implies to Alfieri that Rodolpho is effeminate, flamboyant, or homosexual

 

41

“they have to see me if they make a crack”

Eddie explains an unwritten social code that, because people know Rodolpho is a relative of his, anyone who makes a critical or derogatory remark about him would have to answer to Eddie for it, so they won’t say anything overtly

 

42

patsy

Informal, derogatory American slang for a person who is an easy target for deception or manipulation, set up to take the blame for someone else’s misdeeds

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Scene 5 (pg. 44-52)

46

greenhorns

A somewhat condescending term for newly arrived immigrants who are inexperienced or naïve, unfamiliar with American life and customs

 

46

“shawl over her head”; “black dress”

In 1950s Italy, women wearing a shawl over the head or a black dress signified modesty or respect for religious customs; a Catholic custom for women was to put a veil over their hair before entering a church; Eddie tells Rodolpho that just because “girls” in the U.S. don’t necessarily follow those customs doesn’t mean they aren’t modest and chaste

 

48

“if he’s here for a good time then he could fool around”

Eddie is suggesting that Rodolpho is acting like he is in America for pleasure and to take advantage of opportunities instead of working and building a proper life

 

48

quartet

A group of four people singing together; this refers to the four Mills Brothers who recorded “Paper Doll”

 

 49

“He sings, he cooks, he could make dresses”

Eddie flippantly suggests that Rodolpho is homosexual because these activities are associated with women

 

50

bouts

Professional boxing matches, which were very popular in the 1950s

 

50

Danish

Eddie uses the moniker, “Danish,” to refer to Rodolpho because of his fair blond complexion that is stereotypically associated with Nordic peoples, but Eddie is underhandedly building upon his derogatory remarks about Rodolpho’s fair traits and implied homosexuality​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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