Main Character: Chris Keller
Miller uses the skill of using offensive speech to bring about the tension in Act 2. He deliberately causes conflict between two characters to increase the tension. Moreover, Miller uses stage directions as a dramatic device to bring about the tension in this scene. Through the character of Chris, Miller effectively uses both offensive speech and stage directions to create or try to alleviate tension in Act 2. When Joe suggests to Ann to go visit her father in prison and she straight up refuses to be a part of his life. However, Joe insists on her doing so because after all "a father is a father", and once he gets out of jail he will count on his daughter. At this point, Chris intervenes in an aggressive mood as he states "Then kick him in the teeth! I don't want him in the plant, so that's that! You understand? And besides, don't talk about him like that. People misunderstand you!". His style towards his father is very commanding at this point and also when he responds "[almost angrily]" to him which is what causes the tension between the two characters. Joe becomes frustrated by this behaviour as it is seen by the stage directions "[a commanding outburst in his high nervousness.]". Another important part to mention where tension is created by Chris is when Kate packs Ann's bags adn Chris in an extremely aggressive tone says "How dare you pack her bag?", "Then I don't belong here.", "And I'm his brother and he's dead, and I'm marrying his girl.". These responses of Chris create tension between him and his mother, Kate, as even after three years of Larry's death she still has not moved on and cannot accept the other parts of the Keller family moving on either. Kate responds to Chris' say of him marrying Larry's ex girlfriend by saying "Never, never in this world!".
Secondary Character: Sue Bayliss
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