The information given is a biography of Arthur Miller, the
playwright of "All My Sons". It says that Miller lived a wealthy and
comfortable life, until his family lost the garment factory they owned and his
life had changed .Furthermore, Miller wanted to criticize the moral corruption
and lack of social responsibility he claimed are caused by materialism and
greed. This criticism, as well as other burning issues, is expressed in his
first successful play, "All My Sons".
In the play, Joe Keller is a successful businessman who built himself out of nothing. He is living the American dream, a situation he is willing to do anything to preserve - even in (at the) price of (loosing) his integrity. This situation is probably not strange to Miller. Since his family lost their wealth and financial stability, we can assume his own experience inspired him to write Joe's character. In addition, Miller uses Joe's character and actions to criticize the judicial system of that time, in which the strong people can get away from punishment and the simple people are often forced to take the blame instead.
In the play, Joe Keller is a successful businessman who built himself out of nothing. He is living the American dream, a situation he is willing to do anything to preserve - even in (at the) price of (loosing) his integrity. This situation is probably not strange to Miller. Since his family lost their wealth and financial stability, we can assume his own experience inspired him to write Joe's character. In addition, Miller uses Joe's character and actions to criticize the judicial system of that time, in which the strong people can get away from punishment and the simple people are often forced to take the blame instead.
Moreover, Miller's social and political criticism is reflected in the constant conflict between Joe and his idealist son, Chris. Joe believes that family loyalty is the most important value and according to that, expects his family to excuse his war crimes, because he committed them to save them from destruction and poverty. Chris, on the other hand, believes in social responsibility: that we must care about the society and the country we live in, and not only about ourselves and our close environment. Miller keeps asking the reader the million dollar question throughout the play: What is more important - family loyalty or social responsibility?
In conclusion, the information given about Miller's life and social criticism gave me a wider picture of the message he wanted to deliver in "All My Sons": take care of yourself and your family as long as you also care about others and take responsibility for your actions. Besides, it helped me understand that Joe's fear of losing his metrialism comfort (ww) overshadowed his inner compass and led to what he was afraid of in the first place - the ruin of his own family.
Excellent!
(100)
Daphna
