All My Sons

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1947

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Summary

Background

Act Summaries & Analyses

Act I

Act II

Act III

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

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Background

Authorial Context: Arthur Miller and the American Dream

The playwright Arthur Miller was born on October 17, 1915, in New York City. His upbringing during the Great Depression greatly influenced his perception of societal issues, serving as a foundation for his future work. Miller’s writing career burgeoned in the 1940s and 1950s. He became known for his insightful depiction of the pressures of capitalist competition and American individualism. All My Sons was one of Miller’s earliest successes. The play premiered in 1947 and marked a significant milestone in his career. Despite winning several awards, his second play, The Man Who Had All The Luck, was received very badly by the public and closed after only four performances. Miller had already been working on All My Sons for several years. The play premiered to great acclaim, running for 328 performances and winning Miller his first Tony Award for Best Author. The play also helped to establish Miller’s reputation, which would be bolstered by other works such as Death of a Salesman and The Crucible.

Throughout his career, Miller delved into the intricacies of the American Dream. His works questioned its integrity when pursued at the expense of ethical values. The American Dream, an ideal of upward mobility and success, intrigued Miller, but he often depicted its darker sides, highlighting the disparity between its promise and the harsh reality faced by many. In Death of a Salesman, Miller exposed the disillusionment of a salesman named Willy Loman who fervently pursued the American Dream but ultimately faced a tragic downfall. Miller’s exploration of the Dream resonated deeply with audiences, challenging the prevailing notions of success and happiness in American society. Critics observed that bleak, pessimistic plays such as All My Sons critiqued the American Dream at a time of general national optimism.

Miller’s criticism of core American ideals led to his persecution. In the early 1950s, during the era of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, he faced the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). His refusal to cooperate or name individuals suspected of communist ties led to a conviction for contempt of Congress. This stand against the infringement of civil liberties solidified his reputation as a staunch defender of individual rights and free expression, in marked contrast to the actions of men such as Elia Kazan, who directed the first Broadway run of All My Sons and to whom the play is dedicated. Unlike Miller, Kazan testified against other actors and writers. His testimony led to the end of their careers as they were blacklisted from working in Hollywood due to accusations of links to the American communist movement. Miller’s disgust at Kazan’s actions led to the end of their friendship. The following year, in 1953, Miller produced The Crucible, a play in which the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 function as an allegory for the political persecution of the McCarthy era.

Miller’s personal life was also marked by notable events. His marriage to Marilyn Monroe, one of the most famous actresses of her time, thrust him into the spotlight of celebrity culture. Their tumultuous relationship drew public attention, offering glimpses into the private life of a renowned playwright. Despite personal challenges and public scrutiny, Miller’s literary contributions continued to flourish. The Crucible is regarded as a powerful critique of the McCarthy era, and remains his most frequently staged play around the world. Miller passed away on February 10, 2005, at age 89.

Historical Context: War Profiteering in America

All My Sons includes references to potential war profiteering. Chris Keller accuses his father of profiting from World War II, an accusation Joe denies. Chris finds the idea of war profiteering loathsome, to the point where he is willing to sever his relationship with his father when he realizes that his father knowingly shipped defective aircraft engines. During World War II, war profiteering in the United States took on various forms, reflecting a complex interplay between patriotism, business interests, and government contracts. The war effort created a massive demand for goods and services, leading to unprecedented opportunities for businesses to capitalize on the production of weapons, supplies, and materials essential for the war. In the play, for example, Joe’s factory produces engines for the planes used by the Air Force.

Before the United States entered the war, there were concerns about companies benefiting from conflicts abroad. Once the US officially joined the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the nation’s focus shifted toward mobilization. The government, in its efforts to rapidly expand military capabilities, entered into contracts with numerous corporations. One of the most significant aspects of war profiteering during this time was the relationship between the government and defense contractors. Companies like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler switched their production lines from civilian goods to military equipment. This transition allowed them to secure lucrative contracts with the government, producing tanks, aircraft, vehicles, and weaponry essential for the war effort. These companies profited immensely, experiencing unprecedented growth and financial gains during the war years. This change had lasting consequences. In his 1961 farewell address, President Dwight Eisenhower (who had served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II) warned against the growing power of what he termed the “military-industrial complex”—the profit-driven alliance between industrial capitalism and an ever-expanding military.

The rapid expansion of contracts and production raised concerns about oversight and accountability. There were instances of overcharging, shoddy production, and fraudulent practices by some contractors seeking to maximize profits. The infamous example of Boeing’s B-29 bomber, known as the “Flying Coffin,” highlighted the dangers of prioritizing profit over quality. Deficiencies in its design and production led to fatal accidents, revealing the consequences of prioritizing speed and profit in wartime manufacturing. Moreover, the system of cost-plus contracts adopted by the government fueled criticisms of war profiteering. Under these agreements, companies were reimbursed for production costs and, in addition, received a percentage of those costs as profit. Critics argued that this incentivized inefficiency and inflated expenses, allowing companies to generate excessive profits at the expense of taxpayers.

The government made efforts to curb war profiteering through legislative measures and oversight. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) implemented price controls and rationing to prevent inflation and ensure fair distribution of essential goods. The OPA also investigated cases of price gouging and black-market activities, imposing penalties on those found guilty of profiteering. Public scrutiny and media attention also played a role in highlighting instances of war profiteering. Exposés and investigations revealed cases of corruption, fraudulent practices, and excessive profits made by certain corporations and individuals. These revelations led to public outrage and demands for stricter regulations and accountability. In the play, Joe’s war profiting leads to the deaths of 21 pilots. The broken engines that his factory produces were the result of Joe elevating profit above everything else. Plays such as All My Sons reflect a broader cultural distaste from those who profited from the war, written in the post-war period.

Historical Context: Wright Aeronautical Corporation

All My Sons takes inspiration from the true story of the Wright Aeronautical Corporation. In the play, Joe Keller authorizes the sale of broken engines to the Air Force, leading to the deaths of 21 American pilots. Wright Aeronautical, a prominent manufacturer of aircraft engines, became embroiled in real-life controversy due to the production of defective engines that posed serious risks to the safety of military personnel. As the United States geared up for war following its entry into World War II, the demand for military aircraft and equipment skyrocketed. Wright Aeronautical, like many other companies, received substantial government contracts to produce aircraft engines vital for the war effort. The company’s engines were crucial for various aircraft used by the US military, including bombers and fighter planes. However, as production ramped up to meet the soaring demand, issues began to surface within Wright Aeronautical’s manufacturing processes. The rush to increase output and meet strict deadlines led to corners being cut, compromising the quality and safety of the engines being produced. Reports started to emerge of engine malfunctions, failures, and even fatal accidents attributed to these defective engines.

One of the most glaring examples was the R-3350 engine, used extensively in the B-29 Superfortress bomber, the key aircraft for the US bombing campaign against Japan. The R-3350 engines suffered from a series of design and manufacturing flaws that resulted in numerous incidents, including engine fires, failures, and crashes. These issues posed a grave risk not only to the aircraft but also to the lives of the pilots and crew relying on them in combat situations. The defects in the engines were a result of various factors. The rapid expansion of production, combined with the pressure to fulfill government contracts, led to inadequate quality control measures within the company. There were instances of rushed assembly, insufficient testing, and a lack of proper oversight in ensuring the engines met required safety standards.

Despite internal concerns raised by engineers and workers about the flaws in the engines, there was a reluctance within the company to address these issues adequately. Some employees who attempted to highlight these problems were reportedly silenced or ignored, as the company prioritized meeting production quotas over ensuring the reliability and safety of their products. As reports of engine failures and accidents continued to mount, the situation attracted public attention and scrutiny. Investigations were launched to uncover the extent of the problems and determine accountability. The scandal surrounding Wright Aeronautical and the defective engines became a focal point of concern, raising questions about the ethics of war profiteering, corporate accountability, and the compromises made in the pursuit of meeting wartime demands.

The aftermath of the scandal resulted in intensified scrutiny of defense contractors and prompted reforms in the oversight and regulation of military production. The government implemented stricter quality control measures and increased supervision of companies involved in manufacturing crucial military equipment. This event served as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of maintaining quality standards, ethical practices, and accountability, even in times of war. In the play, Steve is convicted for Joe’s crime. Joe’s refusal to take responsibility for the defective engines is a critique of war profiteers, with similar critiques being levelled at the Wright Aeronautical Corporation.