Family

Chris: "I've been a good son too long, a good sucker. I'm through with it." (Act 1: Line 215: Miller 15)

As Chris Keller says this to his father Joe Keller, he pronounces in an apparent way that he would like to break free from being a loyal son and family member and longs to become his own self. Chris shows that throughout most of his life he has done everything to please his family, but now he feels as though he is mature and ready enough to do things in order to please himself. As Chris is becoming older, he is tired of his family holding him back from things that he wishes to do such as getting married and starting a family of his own, as well as adventuring out to find things that he likes to do. Chris does not wish to disappoint his parents, because he knows how important the moral of family is to his father. However, after finding out what his dad did, Chris is so disturbed at what his father had done, that all he wishes to do is leave home and start fresh. Loyalty, which has always been apart of Chris himself, has finally shown itself as an obstacle that is in the way of Chris and his personal happiness.

Keller: I'm askin' you. What am I, a stranger? I thought I had a family here. What happened to my family? (Act 3: Line 45: Miller 62)

After Joe Keller has had an argument with his son Chris, over his decision with the plane parts he asks his wife Kate the question: What happened to my family? As he is speaking with Kate, she feels somewhat afraid that Chris will not return home, after he realized what his father had done. Joe who is very family oriented believes that no matter what situation or wrongdoing that either yourself or a family has overcome or has done, that the will be on your side no matter what. He also is a firm believer that family will never get mad at you for anything and will always be there to help you get through rough times. There are though, times, that someone family member or just even close friend does something that is so morally wrong, that everyone and even their own family turns against them because they did not believe that it was right. An example would be when Chris found out about what his father had done with the faulty parts and told him that he was extremely disappointed in him and wanted to move away. Joe was dumbfounded to see Chris leave after how loyal he was to the family, and especially astonished when his family did not stick with him throughout his tough time leaving him wondering exactly “happened to his family” and why they were falling apart; while the answer was right in front of him, himself and his actions.

Keller: "There's nothing he could do that I wouldn't forgive. Because he's my son. Because I'm his father and he's my son." (Act 3: Line 52: Miller 63)

This quote displays another of Joe Keller’s views on family. After reading this quote in the play, as a reader I was told by Joe that there would be nothing at all, that can come between both himself, his sons, and especially his family, that he would not forgive them for. Joe shows us his firm belief that forgiveness is a must in any situation no matter how minor or major the circumstances may be. By saying that he would forgive his son, because he is his son, shows that Joe would like the same attitude and beliefs as displayed by him also shown by his son Chris in return. Joe knows deep down that he is truly guilty, but he believes that he did the right thing for his family, so that deserves his family's forgiveness. But in the way he views his family and family in general, he seems to show that family is not only connected through relationships but, also by keeping tight and picking those up when the fall, make mistakes and need to be forgiven. That members in a family are codependent upon on another through their actions, and beliefs.

"Keller: [...] A father is a father" (Act 2: Line 162-166: Miller 42)

Here, Joe Keller is trying to make Annie realize that her father is her father, and even though Annie is very upset with her father because of what he did, he is a part of her family, but more importantly, her life. The main moral displayed throughout this short, but meaningful quote, is that you cannot pick your family, so whatever you are given, you must make the best out of it. All family members do bicker with each other every once in a while, but things should never become as serious as never wanting to talk to that certain person ever again. Family is always there for you no matter what, they know the most about you and they know things that other people don’t know about you, they will always be with you both physically and eventually spiritually from birth to death and then eventually when you reunite in the afterlife. Even though Ann does not want to deal with her father ever again, Joe wants her to recognize that family is the most important thing that you can have in the world. You will always have your family no matter where you go, because as the saying goes, “you’ll always find your way back home”, the place where you gain as much love, support, and forgiveness from the people in which you love.