“All My Sons” is a tragedy that explores moral, social, and political concepts while also providing criticism of American culture. It is a play written by Arthur Miller and is about a wealthy businessman, Joe Keller. The character is a typical decent man who is devoted to his family. However, he has been unable to meet his social commitments and has failed to see the function of society after being blinded by a hunger for money during the war. The sad conflict between familial loyalty and civic obligation, as well as the between father and son, are the central topics of “All My Sons.”
Joe, the protagonist in All My Sons, is an influential, self-made business leader who is well-liked by his neighbors and family. On the other hand, Joe has a dark secret about his own involvement in a crime involving permitting his manufacturer to ship out defective airplane engines, causing the deaths of American pilots during the war. Joe is not as truthful and reputable as he would want to seem, and he is motivated only by his desire to take care of his family (Miller). Joe’s inner personality and decision-making contrast sharply with his external demeanor and actions, which are gradually exposed during the play. For example, he pretended to be ill on the day the problematic engines were found in order to avoid being present at the facility when they were rewelded and delivered (Miller). At the same time, Joe believed he went to great lengths to safeguard his family. In the final act, he appeared to agree to jail, but when his actual character was revealed, he killed himself. Hence, he preferred death to honesty, placed his American Dream ahead of accountability, and prioritized family survival over community responsibilities.
The conflict that permeates the drama is embodied by two opposing sets of principles, business as usual versus social responsibility, which is also presented as a disagreement between the father and the son. Joe Keller represents the older generation, while Chris Keller represents the younger generation. The play’s older generation believes in family values and is willing to go to any length to have a wealthy and affluent existence. In contrast, the younger generation demonstrates their conviction in moral and social codes and ideals, which are displayed in idealistic thought that money is not the only item necessary for a happy and productive existence. As a result, the play depicts a family in which a son, Chris Keller, is dissatisfied with his father and unable to regard his father, Joe Keller, as a responsible citizen for the country to which he belongs. Chris was aware of his father’s culpability, and he felt obliged to convince Joe that what he did in the past at the expense of success was wrong (Miller). Thus, the contrasts between parents and children are caused by the culture of success rather than a generation divide.
To conclude, Miller’s play “All My Sons” might represent the moral desire for oneness among money-minded and greedy individuals who view it as an excellent opportunity to make money through profit-generating. Joe Keller’s decision to sell substandard aviation components ultimately leads to his demise. He could not take responsibility for the conflict between his mental understanding of morality and his actions, as well as faced conflict with his other-minded son.
Work Cited
Miller. All My Sons. Reynal and Hitchcock, 2022.