As a father, Joe Keller thinks that he is sacrificing all that he has to be a strong provider for his sons. He keeps the family business strong so that he can pass it on to Chris and Larry once he is too old to manage it. Joe tells Chris that he this went through his head when he ordered Steve Deever to ship the faulty machine parts--Joe did not want to risk having the business go under for failing to comply with an order. On the other hand, one could argue that Joe is not setting a good example for his sons because he acts in an immoral fashion because he knowingly creates a deadly situation for the pilots whose planes were equipped with the faulty parts.
As a husband, Joe uses Kate as a support system. He expects that she will keep his secret, which she does, with little regard to her loyalty.
Joe's neighbors regard him as friendly and welcoming; however, they do not really trust him. They are happy to keep his company, but also hold him on the outskirts of their acquaintance. Joe, on the other hand, feels that the neighbors have accepted him as "innocent" and does not understand the inner workings of the neighbors' true feelings about him.
Finally, as a friend, Joe's concerns lie only on the surface. Steve is serving much time in prison because Joe has lied, and even though Joe has promised both Steve and his son George a job with his company, nothing can make up for the years that Steve has spent in prison on account of Joe's lies.
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