Joe's Amorality In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

Joe and his own Amorality
Arthur Miller believed that “character is destiny:” One’s morals will determine what will happen to a person throughout his/her life. Kate, Joe, and Chris are at different points of moral development. Joe is an amoral character. Coming from a poor and uneducated background Joe worked through life to succeed. He found success in business and his factory, and devoted his life to creating a heritage for his children. This lead to him not caring about outside circles and thus causing great harm to others will being in denial.
Joe examples this largely in his confrontation with Chris after being ousted as the one who shipped the damaged cylinder heads. When discussing about the pilots who died Joe reminds Chris that, “ He never flew a P-40, what’s the matter with you”(p.419). This shows Joe being completely unaware that he did anything wrong. In his logic

He continues with his belief when he replying to Chris’s claim that he know the cylinder heads would fail. “For you, a business for you”(p.420).
Joe stresses and works to maintain a family legacy that he hopes will continue for generations, and is blinded by that. Joe is a strong believer in nothing is stronger than nuclear family. His immediate family is precious and he would kill to protect it. “There’s nothin’ he could do that I wouldn’t forgive. Because he’s my son. Because I’m his father and he’s my son”(p.425). He goes further, “Nothin’s bigger than that. And you’re goin’ to tell him, do you understand. I’m his father and he’s my son, and if there’s something bigger than that I’ll put a bullet in my head”(p.p.425-426). He is so blinded by this desire innate in his being, he can’t see the error. When Kate discusses lying to Chris by expressing guilt Joe replys surprised and mad saying, “What must I be forgiven? You wanted money didn’t