Drama "Grade 9" All My Sons Themes ppt.pptx

Grade 9 Drama selection of " All my sons"

1. All My Sons Themes

2.  The American Dream The American Dream is a concept which is difficult to define, but generally means the belief that all Americans, regardless of social class, education or status have the right and ability to achieve a comfortable life and financial security.   Joe Keller has achieved his portion of the American Dream: he is uneducated, but as a hard worker he has managed to become a successful factory boss and owner. He has a nice house and garden; his family are loving and he is well liked in the community. Joe made a lot of his money during the war and his drive to achieve the American Dream results in him being responsible for the deaths of twenty-one pilots.

3. The American Dream and Capitalism Because Joe had built up such a successful business he did not want to lose it, or the money that came with it. Wealth ( as well as preserving that wealth for his family) was one of the driving forces behind Joe’s decision. America was a capitalist society and Arthur Miller wanted to show how that affected people’s morality.

4. Social Responsibility Social responsibility is the duty of an individual to the society in which they live. This is a central theme in ‘All My Sons’, and a relevant one as the play was written so soon after the war: many people had given their lives in the service of their society, which they passionately believed to be moral. Keller’s actions are in direct contradiction to such selfless dedication. It is ironic that the ones who suffer from Keller’s selfish actions are those who are risking their lives to help others.

5. Denial All the characters are in denial of the truth in some form or other, but the two most affected by this are: Joe Keller denies his guilt and believes he has achieved the American Dream. Kate Keller refuses to believe that Larry is dead. In doing this she has convinced herself of Joe’s innocence and believes Larry will come home. If untrue, this would mean that Joe has killed his own son. Perhaps Miller’s most poignant message in the play is that a wrong committed in the past is inescapable, and must eventually be rectified. Kate and Joe are punished for their prolonged attempts to deny what has happened in the past.