How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #1
Bert: Tommy said another dirty word to Doris yesterday, and you didn't even demote him.
Keller: [he chuckles and winks at Chris, who is enjoying all this.] Yeah, that's a dangerous character, that Tommy. (1.132-33)
Keller is a playful father figure to the neighborhood boys. Chris admires his rapport with them.
Quote #2
Chris: I've been a good son too long, a good sucker. I'm through with it. (1.215)
Loyalty to his family is getting in the way of Chris's personal happiness.
Quote #3
Keller: I want you to spread out, Chris, I want you to use what I made for you… I mean, with joy, Chris, without shame… with joy. (1.585)
To be sympathetic to Joe's situation, we really have to get behind the idea that he did it all for his family.
Quote #4
Ann: I'm not here out of a blue sky, Chris. I turned my back on my father, if there's anything wrong here now… (2.119)
Ann places principles over family and she expects Chris to, as well.
Quote #5
Keller: You're in love now, Annie, but believe me, I'm older than you and I know – a daughter is a daughter, and a father is a father. (2.156)
Ann tries to reassure Joe that hate could never come between her and Chris. For Joe, family comes first. He's concerned that Ann will come to see things that way, too, under the influence of her father and brother.
Quote #6
Keller: And I don't understand why she has to crucify the man… A father is a father! (2.162-166)
Ann's ruthless judgment of her father strikes fears into Joe. What if, when they're married, Chris begins to feel the same way about him?
Quote #7
Mother: Your brother's alive, darling, because if he's dead, your father killed him. Do you understand me now? (2.519)
We're really interested in Kate's own complicity with Joe's decision to let those cracked cylinders ship. He seems to rely on her guidance quite a bit. Do you think she knew about it at the time? Gave him advice?
Quote #8
Keller: Chris… Chris, I did it for you, it was a chance and I took it for you. (2.546)
Joe's rationalization of this crime eventually makes it harder for Chris to condemn him. But in this moment, all Chris feels is shocked – and tainted by his father's deed.
Quote #9
Keller: I'm askin' you. What am I, a stranger? I thought I had a family here. What happened to my family? (3.45)
When the truth finally comes to light, Kate retreats from her usual busy mastery of the situation. Joe's left feeling alone, wondering why he made the sacrifices he did.
Quote #10
Keller: Sure, he was my son. But I think to him they were all my sons. And I guess they were, I guess they were. (3.167)
We can't decide if this line is brilliant or too heavy-handed. Whichever, it's an important moment for Joe, as he understands – and finally owns – the larger repercussions of his actions.