He symbolises capitalism during
that time, exploiting his workers to
benefit his own personal needs
"I think they were all my son's
1940's great depression where financial stability was hugely
important. Joe isn's the antagonist because he was looking out
for his family during the 2nd World War
"I spoilt you too much"
"20 cracks a man is out of business"
Keller takes pride in his son and his business but had
failed societies and his families expectation
"we should all go to jail!"
"you were just a boy...i done
this all for you"
Kate Keller
she appears to look weak but happens to be very
manipulative, because of her helplessness of unable to
save Larry she exposes Keller's crimes to George
"he hasn't been laid up in 15 years"
"you of all people have to believe he's alive"
she clings on to the thought that he is alive
through symbols such as the tree
"it's apples clinging onto its branches
Chris Keller
Chris intends to marry Ann but the spirit of Larry still holds him back, to rid the spirit he
cuts down the tree in act 2 hoping that this will allow him to move forward in life
"she's Larry's girl"
"he is wearing good pants...he cuts the remains of the tree"
Chris conforms to this hedgemony masculinity of
an ascribed role of taking over his fathers business
"your the only one that seems to love his parents"
because of Keller, he has trapped
Chris in this endless backyard
"what are you? not even an animal kills one of his own"
Larry Keller
We never meet Larry because events have happened before the novel begun that
had lead to the death of Larry. however even though he isn't physically there there
are still symbols that represent his presence such as the tree and letter
Larry is symbolic of the proletarian
workers that had fought and died for
the war.