The greater question is what is
justice?
Is Joe Keller a tragic hero? I don't think so
since he is not a man of great stature, not a king or leader or hero, so who is he? Is
Joe a likable guy? Yes, but he was man who makes a grave error. He does not accept
responsibility for his actions but rather blames his partner. Is this the action of an
honorable man? I think not. What Joe is is a human being. When he is confronted with
the truth he justifies his actions. Everybody who manufactured for the war effort did
similar things therefore in his mind he was not guilty and saw no reason why he should
have to go to prison. It was terrible that 21 men died as a result of his decision but
it was wartime.
Kate states that if she were to admit the
truth of Larry's death, then Joe was to blame. Ironically, he was since Larry could not
live with the shame of Joe's action and crashed his
plane.
Is the ending acceptable/satisfying? It is the only
possible ending once the truth is out. Joe stated earlier that he would kill himself
rather than go to prison.
It seems to me that Miller was
influenced by Ibsen where we see recognisable human beings struggling with their
realities. And as in Ibsen the ending is not neat or tidy. What happens to Kate now
that she has been forced to face the truth? What will happen with Chris and Ann since
they too have been forced to face the truth? Life goes on and there are no easy
answers.
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