All My Sons is a 1947 play by Arthur Miller. The genre of the play is a tragedy. However, we can categorized it as a family drama too. As per the background of the play, it denotes an event related to world war- 2. The protagonist of the play, [Joe Keller ] for the sake of financial benefits, dishonestly sales cracked cylinder to the US army which causes the death of 21 pilots. As a result of it he puts blame onto his business partner [ Steve Deever ]. Here writer criticizes the idea of American Dream too. The materialistic life becomes the reason of great fall. At the end of the play the protagonist finds himself entangled in a miserable situation and commits suicide.
A Note on Arthur Miller :
Before we move further, let us discuss some important things about the writer. He was born in Jewish family. His father was financially ruined in the great economic depression. This knowledge of business remains the great source of his plays. He was much interested in writing from his college days. Among his most popular plays are : Death of a Salesman (1949)- it is said that this play had been taking shape in his mind for ten years, though he wrote it in six weeks. Death of a Salesman received the Pulitzer Prize for theatre.
The Crucible (1953) - a play dealing with a witch hunt in Salem in 1692, was rightly assumed to have a contemporary relevance in view of the persecution of real and alleged Communists in the America of the fifties. This was followed by A View from the Bridge in 1955, a tragedy of sexual rivalry and betrayal. Apart from these all, his personal life was very much political. He used to rank himself as American Liberals.
Characters of the Play :
Miller is usually regarded as an intellectual dramatist and that seems in the characterization of the play. Almost all the characters represents the real life situations. Moreover, Miller's characters are never aristocratic. They may make money but they remain culturally underprivileged.
• Joe Keller
• Kate Keller
• Larry Keller (Never appears onto stage)
• Chris Keller
• Steve Deever (Never appears onto stage)
• Ann Deever
• George Deever
• Dr. Jim Bayliss
• Sue Bayliss
• Frank Lubey
• Lydia Lubey
• Bert
Major themes :
√ Social Responsibility : In Keller family, character of Joe ( portrays the situation of Bourgeois ) has more responsibility for his family. Whatever he has done it is for Chris, for his family. But he becomes the victim of American Dream. Here Miller criticizes the competition amongst the individual and society.
√ Money : Another element of fall. In the play we see Joe doesn't want a loss in business, and tells his business partner (Steve) to sale faulty aircrafts. Similarly, Sue wants his husband to focus on his financial career rather than further study.
√ Guilt : Most of the characters have guilt for their family members.
√ Bravery and Sacrifice : The decision made by Chris and Ann, requires great courage. Larry's decision of committing suicide, these all the events shows the positive side of human behavior. Ultimately, it teaches that one shouldn't cross the limit of affection, because it can be possible that opposite person may not understand your feelings.
At the end of the play we can say that Miller criticizes the capitalism. He favours Marxism.
A Note on Arthur Miller :
Before we move further, let us discuss some important things about the writer. He was born in Jewish family. His father was financially ruined in the great economic depression. This knowledge of business remains the great source of his plays. He was much interested in writing from his college days. Among his most popular plays are : Death of a Salesman (1949)- it is said that this play had been taking shape in his mind for ten years, though he wrote it in six weeks. Death of a Salesman received the Pulitzer Prize for theatre.
The Crucible (1953) - a play dealing with a witch hunt in Salem in 1692, was rightly assumed to have a contemporary relevance in view of the persecution of real and alleged Communists in the America of the fifties. This was followed by A View from the Bridge in 1955, a tragedy of sexual rivalry and betrayal. Apart from these all, his personal life was very much political. He used to rank himself as American Liberals.
Characters of the Play :
Miller is usually regarded as an intellectual dramatist and that seems in the characterization of the play. Almost all the characters represents the real life situations. Moreover, Miller's characters are never aristocratic. They may make money but they remain culturally underprivileged.
• Joe Keller
• Kate Keller
• Larry Keller (Never appears onto stage)
• Chris Keller
• Steve Deever (Never appears onto stage)
• Ann Deever
• George Deever
• Dr. Jim Bayliss
• Sue Bayliss
• Frank Lubey
• Lydia Lubey
• Bert
Major themes :
√ Social Responsibility : In Keller family, character of Joe ( portrays the situation of Bourgeois ) has more responsibility for his family. Whatever he has done it is for Chris, for his family. But he becomes the victim of American Dream. Here Miller criticizes the competition amongst the individual and society.
√ Money : Another element of fall. In the play we see Joe doesn't want a loss in business, and tells his business partner (Steve) to sale faulty aircrafts. Similarly, Sue wants his husband to focus on his financial career rather than further study.
√ Guilt : Most of the characters have guilt for their family members.
√ Bravery and Sacrifice : The decision made by Chris and Ann, requires great courage. Larry's decision of committing suicide, these all the events shows the positive side of human behavior. Ultimately, it teaches that one shouldn't cross the limit of affection, because it can be possible that opposite person may not understand your feelings.
At the end of the play we can say that Miller criticizes the capitalism. He favours Marxism.
