Sunday, June 26, 2016

What is Miller's criticism on the American dream in All My Sons?

Arthur Miller is making a statement about achieving the American dream through Joe Keller, who will do anything to obtain it. Joe, a manufacturer of airplane cylinder heads, knowingly ships out defective parts to be put in airplanes pilots will fly in WWII.  His dishonesty risks the lives of American fighters.  Although he is acquitted of sending defective parts (after blaming his partner), Joe ends up committing suicide because of the guilt he feels.  Even...

Arthur Miller is making a statement about achieving the American dream through Joe Keller, who will do anything to obtain it. Joe, a manufacturer of airplane cylinder heads, knowingly ships out defective parts to be put in airplanes pilots will fly in WWII.  His dishonesty risks the lives of American fighters.  Although he is acquitted of sending defective parts (after blaming his partner), Joe ends up committing suicide because of the guilt he feels.  Even though he says he did it for his family, sons, and the success and money the parts bring him, Joe, in essence, puts “America’s sons” in harms way. 


Arthur Miller makes a statement in All My Sons about how those with power will do anything to achieve their dreams.  The symbolic American dream is often obtained through hard work, not dishonesty, and Miller believes that those who achieve it should also protect and keep others safe.  Unfortunately, those who seek fortunes and the American dream of success often hurt those who are not as capable of achieving it.  The pilots and soldiers were fighting for the American dream of freedom, and it was Joe Keller’s duty to keep American soldiers safe.   Joe Keller’s greed put that in jeopardy. 

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