Arthur Miller is known for his assertion that the everyday carries with it the seeds of drama. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the first act of All My Sons. Write an essay examining the small talk of this act and the revelations about the neighbors that come later, citing three specific examples of each.

Essay Topic 2

The tragedy of Joe Keller's life is driven by his realization that the world does not end with his family. His only impetus to do right is to do right by his wife and sons. Write about this topic in three parts:

Part 1) Joe Keller and his son Chris have two conversations about Chris' plans for the future. Chris is disillusioned by the individualism of America after the war. What does Joe want from his son, more than anything? How do his wishes reflect a lack of understanding of his son's world view?

Part 2) Joe Keller successfully lies to himself for three and a half years regarding his complicity in the deaths of 21 pilots. How does his attitude toward his family and the rest of the world make this an easy delusion for him?

Part 3) How does Larry's letter shatter Joe Keller's world view? What does Joe realize about his duty to the world at large that brings him to kill himself?

Essay Topic 3

Two characters that never actually appear onstage are central drivers of action in All My Sons. Write an essay on the effect that these two characters have on the plot of the play, citing conversations that other characters have regarding them.

(see the answer keys)

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