Chris Quotes

All my sons - Arthur Miller

“We’re like a railroad station waiting for a train that never comes in.”

Simile - Understands that the family is in a state of stasis, showing that he is the smartest (education wise) of the Kellers.

“The man is innocent.”

Unmitigated declarative - Chris defends his father erroneously showing their strong father-son bond.

“Broach.”

Repetition - Corrects Keller’s pronunciation showing that he is the educated one.

“Then kick him in the teeth! I don’t want him in the plant so that’s that!”

Exclamatives - His moral absolution will also lead to the rejection of his father.

“And I’m his brother and he’s dead, and I’m marrying his girl.”

Triadic - His declaration of defiance, showing inter-generational conflict.

“I’m listening, God almighty, I’m listening.”

Diacope - Chris’ faith in Keller has shattered so he turns his faith to God.

“I’ve been a good son too long, a good sucker.”

Dramatic tension - Loyalty to his family has got in the way of his happiness.

“I felt wrong to be alive, to open the bankbook, to drive the new car, to see the new refrigerator.”

Survivors guilt - Suspicion that his father is a war profiteer + appalled by how America has not changed.

“It’s time she realised that nobody believes Larry is alive anymore.”

Unmitigated declarative - Only acts on his idealism when it suits him (let Kate believe Larry was alive for 3 years, until he wants to marry Ann).

“I’m practical now, you made me practical.”

Repetition - Chris’ conversion from idealism to pragmatism.

Keller:“A man can’t be a Jesus in this world.”

Religious imagery + irony - Chris actually parallels Christ, in terms of morality.

“(Capable of immense affection and loyalty)”

Stage directions - Chris is used as the foil to highlight immorality within other characters.

“I’m yellow. I was made yellow in this house because I suspected my father and I did nothing about it.”

Colour imagery - Accepts responsibility. He has been beaten to the point he no longer feels human.

“He gave me his last pair of dry socks.”

Symbol of brotherhood - Chris believes this brotherhood is lost in post war America.

“You’re silly; what’s there to be afraid of?”

Irony - Highlights his obliviousness to the truth (he always sees the best in everyone, not necessarily the reality).

“I was dying everyday and you were killing my boys and you did it for me?”

Possessive pronoun “my” - Highlights that the soldiers were his family.

“Is that as far as your mind can see, the business?”

Questioning - Ashamed at the greed of his father, who only wanted to protect his own business/reputation.

“You’re not even an animal, no animal kills his own, what are you?”

Rhetorical question - Shows generational conflict and Chris does not let Keller defend himself because his mind is already made up.

“[Chris is discovered at right, sawing the broken-off tree, leaving stump standing alone]”

Stage directions - Suggests that Chris is insistent on wiping Larry’s memory so he can move forward with his own life, and marrying Ann.

“Be civilized about it.”

Command - Chris’ righteousness and need for civilisation which juxtaposes George’s fury.