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How does the relationship of Keller and Chris change throughout the play?

-Ks motivation stems from Cs admiration for him
The main motivation for Keller in committing the crime is in order to impart the
business to his son and impress him. Kellers first and foremost priority in his life is
his family. -Ironically he doesnt realize how much admiration C has for him
-Cs admiration goes after he realizes the truth about K
-When he has no more admiration from C and Larry, he loses purpose in life and
kills himself
The main driving force behind Kellars pride stems from the admiration of his son
Chris, who looks up to him as a figure of great character, seen through his remark
Joe McGuts!
'I never saw you as a man, I saw you as father'. This broken and dejected statement
from Chris shows that his idolization of his father has been broken as he finally he
sees his father for who he is.
A father is a father pg 49
his primary value is the success of his business and his ability to make money.
"Nothin' is bigger" than family to Joe (1.67).
I did it for you, it was a chance and I took it for you [] for you, a business for you"
(2.546, 556).
A man capable of immense affection and loyalty" as demonstrated towards his father,
in defence of him despite Georges rather damming statements
Keller says, "I am his father and he is my son and if there is something bigger than
that I shall put a bullet in my head". (81) Chris makes clear that, for him there is
something bigger than the family and after that realisation Keller commits suicide

-K favors L because he thinks that L might have been more supportive of his decision
-C is morally upstanding member of society but changes to be more like K by giving in
to dishonesty
-C trusts K with news of marriage
-C and K vs Kate (about Larry)
-C and K physically close but K doesnt know him that well ( doesnt understand the
idea of social responsibility)
Though Chris and Keller appear to have a strong relationship,
As he tells Chris, he has tried to earn money, even by dishonest means, for his sake,
and to bequeath to him all his property and business establishment. He says to Chris
that he has done everything for Chris. He has taken every chance for Chris. His
approach may be wrong, but his love for his son is quite evident in his behaviour and
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actions. Though he is aware of Chriss stance on crime and his morally upstanding
views, Keller attempts to justify the reasoning behind his actions as for the benefit of
Chris, which instead of bringing them closer, leaves chris further horrified at his
fathers insensitiveness and lack of social conscience
-K recognizes potential for change in their relationship
Joes belief in prioritizing family above all else also forms
-Change in Ann+George/Steves relationship foreshadows change in C/K relationship
-K reminding Ann and C about role of father (desperate, panicked, doesnt want to
lose son)
-C doesnt want business/money from war, predict change in relationship
-When C discovers the truth, K tries to put blame on C---reason: tried to keep a good
life for him
-Symbolic violence within the family, shows broken relationship

Throughout the play All my sons, the relationship between Keller and Chris
disintegrates, as Chriss views of his father changes from admiration and respect to
rejection and condemnation. The contrast created between the morally upstanding
Chris and the dutiful family man Joe Keller reflects on the importance of social
responsibility and family ties.






How does the relationship of Keller and Chris change throughout the play?

In the play All my sons, conflict arises in the relationship between father and son, as
shown through the contrast created between the morally upstanding Chris and the
dutiful family man Joe Keller. Both clash over their different understanding of social
and family responsibility.
Whilst Chris values social responsibility over all else, Keller views family as his highest
priority. These differences ultimately cause Chris to lose respect for and reject his
father when he realizes

Family relations are an especially important aspect of the play as the form the basis
of Kellers motivation to commit the crime.
Which further strokes Kellers ego.
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How does the relationship of Keller and Chris change throughout the play?

Throughout the play All my sons, the relationship between Keller and Chris
disintegrates, as Chriss views of his father changes from admiration and respect to
rejection and condemnation. Keller ends up losing control and influence over Chris.
The contrast created between the morally upstanding Chris and the dutiful family
man Joe Keller reflects on the importance of social responsibility and family ties.

In the play All my sons, conflict arises in the relationship between father and son, as
shown through the contrast created between the morally upstanding Chris and the
dutiful family man Joe Keller. Both clash over their different understanding of social
and family responsibility.
Whilst Chris values social responsibility over all else, Keller views family as his highest
priority. These differences ultimately cause Chris to lose respect for and reject his
father when he realizes


Throughout the play All my sons, the relationship between Keller and Chris
deteriorates, as Chriss views of his father changes from that of high esteem,
admiration and respect to rejection and condemnation. Initially, Keller tries to
provide for his son and his family in order to gain his sons admiration, but in doing so
ends up alienating him. The contrast created between the morally upstanding Chris
and the dutiful family man Joe Keller reflects on the different aspects of social
responsibility and family ties in the play.

Initially, Keller puts repeated emphasis on the importance of loyalty to family as
seen in his quote A father is a father, pg49 in response to Anns statement
regarding her refusal to talk to her father, which betrays his insecurity and doubt.
puts repeated emphasis on the importance of loyalty to family and

Chris and Kellers relationship forms an integral part of the play, as the main
purpose behind Kellers justification of his crime is due to his desire to provide for
Chris and impart the business to him. However, in doing so, this action shows how
little he truly understands his own son. Though they appear to have a close and
strong relationship, it eventually becomes apparent they dont know one another
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very well as Keller remarks on page

Keller sees his family as his first and foremost priority, saying pg 77 Im his
father and hes my son and if theres something bigger than that Ill put a bullet in my
head, which shows how much importance he places on responsibility over his
family.


The breakdown of Ann and Steves relationship over his alleged guilt in the
crime similarly foreshadows the impending breakdown in Chris and Kellers
relationship. This can be seen in the instance in which Sue likens Ann to Chris as
female version of him, by comparing Chris and Anns personalities, she is
unwittingly foreshadowing a similar fate for Joe and Chriss relationship later on in
the play.

Keller is aware and this and it can be seen in his reactions, as he responds to
Annes statement with A commanding outburst in his high nervousness A father is a
father! This reaction betrays Kellers guilt and panic as he realizes that his son will
leave him, which leads him to put increased emphasis of loyalty to family and
importance of family on Chris.

As he tells Chris, he has tried to earn money, even by dishonest means, for his
sake, and to bequeath to him all his property and business establishment. He says to
Chris that he has done everything for Chris. He has taken every chance for Chris. His
approach may be wrong, but his love for his son is quite evident in his behaviour and
actions.

Though he is aware of Chriss involvement in the war and his feelings towards
profiting off of it, and his morally upstanding views, Keller attempts to justify the
reasoning behind his actions as for the benefit of Chris, which backfires and ends up
leaving Chris further horrified at his fathers insensitiveness and lack of social
conscience.