All My Sons Chris Keller Quotes

Chris Keller

Quote 1

Chris: I felt wrong to be alive, to open the bank-book, to drive the new car, to see the new refrigerator. (1.541)

When he returns from the war, Chris suffers survivor's guilt. This guilt is informed not only by his own experience of war, but by his buried suspicion that his father is a war profiteer.

Chris Keller

Quote 2

Chris: Yesterday they flew in a load of papers from the States and I read about Dad and your father being convicted. I can't express myself. I can't tell you how I feel – I can't bear to live any more. (3.162)

We learn from his letter that Larry takes the full weight of his father's guilt on himself. As Chris says in an earlier monologue, it's the really brave ones who never made it back from the war.

Chris Keller

Quote 3

Chris: If I have to grub for money all day long at least at evening I want it beautiful. I want a family, I want some kids, I want to build something I can give myself to. Annie is in the middle of that. (1.219)

Chris hopes he can maintain a balance of making money and building a life he can believe in. His idealism prevents him from acknowledging the reality of the business he's inheriting.