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Differing attitudes to social responsibilty through Joe and Chris Keller (A. Miller's - page 2
Keywords: social responsibility arthur miller all my sons world war two ii 2 drama chris joe keller
By exploiit on 19/06/2010
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 2 of 9 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9going towards his son’s future, warning Chris that he “doesn’t want to think like that”. He explains that his work efforts have only ever been for Chris, “the whole shootin’ match is for you!” We are again reminded of Keller’s aspirations for Chris when he elaborates on his plans, telling of how the business is intended to be a “clean start” for his son. He also goes on to explain how he’ll build him a house, wanting him to “spread out”, an obvious reminder that he wants Chris to be comfortable in life. The stage direction used by Miller in this piece of dialogue depicts Keller’s passion regarding the matter, as we are told he dramatically comes “breaking in” to the conversation, speaking with “deep emotion”. The contrast between each characters’ attitudes to business are used in order to establish that Joe Keller represents one school of thought, believing that it is important to support one’s family regardless of what measures they must go to. Chris on the other hand, is presented to combat this view, believing that happiness is always the most important thing in life, and that nothing is worth upsetting others, or leaving them at any kind of disadvantage. At this point we are supposed to recognise that Chris Keller is an embodiment of social responsibility, whereas his father is the incarnation of the opposite – social irresponsibility.
Keller’s dream for his family is a reflection of his deep belief in the American Dream, “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity according to his ability or achievement”. In the opening scene of the play, we can see this starting to emerge through his interests in the Sunday paper as his ultimate concern is the want ads. He claims to find interest in “what people want”, conveying to the audience his commitment to trade and his constant attempts to find opportunity through it. The pride that he possesses in regards to his career is another way in which we realize how strongly he believes in the American Dream. In conversation with Chris, we see him speaking of the money his business has made in defence, explaining that “it’s good money, there’s nothing wrong with that money”. The fact that Keller even has to restate that there is “nothing wrong” with his money suggests that there is
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