All My Sons Act 3

This act, though short, is the most dramatic in the play. Jim Bayliss reveals to Kate that he once ran away to follow his dreams in doing research in New Orleans, however he returned to his wife Sue because he is "a good husband." Jim has been trapped by his possesive wife Sue, and is tied down to his family. He wishes for Chris to run away and start his life over, but knows Chris will come back to his family, as this will be what Chris feels is right. Jim is perhaps a glimpse into the future of Chris, where his ambition, vitality and dreams die in order to be loyal to his family, falling into the same trap of Joe of family over everything else.

Anne reveals her lonliness, and thus refuses to leave the house without Chris, raising a question of whether it is Chris she loves, or whether she is now desperate for any kind of company, having spent three years alone without Larry. Kate refuses to accept Larry is dead, and Anne is forced to give her Larry's last letter, revealing that after hearing about  Joe's arrest and that the cracked engine heads came from Joe's own factory, Larry was so distraught and ashamed that he killed himself. There is a question of why did Anne give Kate the letter now? And not at the time of Larry's death? It is likely that after Joe was proved innocent she did not wish to hurt the family, and did not ever wish to show Kate the letter, but has done so now so she will not be able to interfere with Chris and Anne's relationship.

In his last confrontation with Joe, Chris reveals that his innocence is gone, and he now accepts that the world is a selfish, dog eat dog world. Chris is completely dillusioned with it, having experience honour and comradeship during the war. He says he will not bring Joe to jail, as he understands that many people in the war, did do or would have done the same and most of the world is as selfish as he is, but this does nothing to lessen Chris's hurt, as he believed that his father was better than the rest of the world, but he has now been revealed to be as flawed as the next man, and a "man amongst men."

When Joe reads the letter he finally realises the enormity of what he did, not only has he killed his own son but the sons of 21 other familys, Joe describes them as "All my sons." When Joe shoots himself it satisfied a tragedy's need for the tragic hero to die, and acts as a punishment and payment for the lives Joe took.