Student Question
Analyse the compromises made by Dr. Bayliss and Chris Keller in All My Sons.
Quick answer:
Dr. Bayliss compromises his passion for medical research for financial security and remains silent about Joe's guilt, which he knows about. Chris Keller sacrifices his sense of humanity for rigid idealism, struggling with forgiveness. He opposes his father's plan to forgive Steve Deever and refuses to absolve his father upon learning of his guilt. Chris feels so ashamed of his connection to his father that he is willing to abandon his relationship with Ann.
Dr. Bayliss has compromised personal fulfillment in medical research for financial security. Also, as he tells Kate in Act 3, he has known about Joe's guilt for awhile but has kept silent about it.
Chris Keller has compromised a sense of humanity for a rigid idealism. Forgiveness is difficult for him - he adamantly opposes his father's plan to forget the past and give Steve Deever a job when he gets out of prison, and denies his own father his absolution when he learns of his guilt. In his feelings of shame through his association with his father, he is willing even to give up his relationship with Ann without a fight.
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