AllMySons_StudyGuide_F2007

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ALL MY SONSBy Arthur Miller

A Study GuideFor the Oct. 10, 2007 Radford University Performance

By Jennifer JuulRadford University

Department of Theatre and CinemaFall 2007

Introductory Note to Teachers

The purpose of this study guide is to enhance the experience of high school students who

attend Radford Universitys production ofAll My Sons. In these pages, youll find

background information as well as activities for the students. Feel free to Xerox directly

from this guide. Activities include a listing of some of the applicable citations from the

Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools. If you would like an electronic copy of

this guide, please visit the theatre departments website at

http://theatre.asp.radford.edu/on_stage/on_stage.htm.
http://theatre.asp.radford.edu/http://theatre.asp.radford.edu/


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Study Guide,All My Sons Page 1

ABOUT ARTHUR MILLER

Arthur Miller (1915-2005) is one of Americas most celebrated and accomplished

playwrights. In addition toAll My Sons, Millers famous plays includeDeath of a Salesman,The Crucible, A View from the Bridge, andAfter the Fall. After growing up in New York,

Miller attended the University of Michigan. He began writing plays and novels, but it

wasnt untilAll My Sonsopened in 1947 that he became well-known. In the 1950s, he was

investigated and blacklisted as a Communist by the House Committee on un-American

Activities. He was married three times (once to the actress Marilyn Monroe). Arthur

Miller lived a long and productive life in theatre and film. He was a prolific voice for his

country, speaking out through his plays and essays on the foremost political and social

issues of the 20th century.

In a conversation aboutDeath of a Salesman, Miller once said, "A time will come when they

will look back at us astonished that we saw something holy in the competition for the

means of existence. But already we are beginning to ask of the great man, not what he has

got, but what he has done for the world. Every man has an image of himself which fails in

one way or another to correspond with reality. It's the size of the discrepancy betweenillusion and reality that matters. The closer a man gets to knowing himself, the less likely

he is to trip up on his own illusions." (Arthur Miller, inArthur Miller Grew in Brooklyn by

Murray Schumach, February 6, 1949) This quote seems equally appropriate for the play

All My Sons.

PLOT SYNOPSIS

On a beautiful Sunday morning in August 1947, Joe Keller reads the paper and enjoys the

company of his neighbors (Frank and Jim), his wife (Kate), and his son (Chris). Ann

Deever, who used to be the girl next door, has come to visit. Chris especially has been

looking forward to Anns visit, because he intends to ask her to marry him. If his parents

dont give Chris and Ann their blessing, Chris is prepared to leave the family business go

his own way. When Chriss mother, Kate, learns of the love between Ann and Chris, she is


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unable to accept it because it would be an admission of her younger sons death. Ann

used to be engaged to Chriss younger brother, Larry, who has been missing in action

since his plane went down during World War Two three and a half years earlier. Joe is

reluctant to give his blessing to the marriage as well, but for other reasons. Anns father,

Steve, ran a factory with Joe during the war. However, Steve is now in prison, convicted ofknowingly shipping out faulty engine cylinder heads to the Army Air Force. Although Joe

and Steve had both been convicted, Joes conviction was overturned and he was

exonerated. Joe has always maintained his innocence, but he did not escape public

scandal. Many of his neighbors still suspect his involvement and his wife, Kate, warns him

to be smart about the whole situation.

Just after Ann and Chris reveal their love to one another, the Kellers receive a phone call

from Anns brother, George. George calls from Columbus, where he has been visiting his

father in prison, and insists on coming to the Keller home. Georges impending visit

makes everyone uneasy, but the Kellers welcome him nonetheless. George arrives and

maintains that Joe is still guilty. George tries to convince Ann to leave with him and not

marry Chris, but Ann refuses. Kate lets slip that Joe may not have been sick during the

warthe fact on which Joes alibi rests. Chris, heartbroken over his fathers guilt, runs off.

By two oclock in the morning, Chris has not returned. His neighbor, Jim, goes out to look

for him. Kate and Joe fear that Chris will never come back. Kate suggests that Joe might

redeem himself in Chriss eyes if he turns himself in. Ann has locked herself in her room,

but comes out to reveal that she will keep Joes secret if Kate and Joe will admit that Larry

is dead. Desperate to be with Chris, she shows Kate a suicide letter written by Larry on

the day he died. In the letter, Larry says he is so angry upon hearing about his fathers

guilt in the newspapers that he is going out on a mission never to return. Chris finally

returns and, although he is prepared to live with his fathers secret, discovers the letter.

In spite of Kates warnings, Chris forces Joe to listen to the letter. Upon hearing that his

son, Larry, was angry enough to kill him, Joe goes inside to get his coat. However, the

others hear a gunshot from inside the house and discover that Joe has ended his own life.


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CHARACTERS AND SETTING

Joe Keller a 61-year old factory owner, husband, and father. He lives in northern Ohio

with his wife, Kate, and son, Chris. Joe did not grow up with many advantages, but he is a

self-made man. He has worked his whole life to support his family. In the past, he wasaccused of knowingly shipping out defective airplane parts from his factory. However, his

conviction was overturned and he has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Arthur Miller

refers to Joe Keller as a man among men.

Kate Keller (Mother) Joes wife. She is very passionate and intelligent, and therefore

very good at bringing people around to her way of thinking. She has not given up hope

that her missing son, Larry, will come home one day.

Chris Keller the oldest son of Joe and Kate Keller. Chris works alongside his father,

helping him manage the factory. Chris fought bravely in World War Two, but was

changed by his experience. Chris is a loyal, hardworking son.

Ann Deever - the girl next door when Chris was growing up. Ann used to be engaged

to Chriss brother, Larry. However, she and Chris have grown very fond of one another

during the last year. When the action of the play begins, Ann has come back to visit the

Kellers.

George Deever Anns older brother. George and Chris are the same age. George also

served in the war. After being wounded in the line of duty, George came home and

became a lawyer. He lives with Ann and their mother in New York.

Jim Bayliss Joes next door neighbor. Jim and his wife, Sue, now live in the house

where the Deevers used to live. Jim and Chris are very close friends, having served in

World War Two together. Jim is a doctor. Kate is one of his patients.

Sue Bayliss Jims wife. Sue is an experienced nurse. She is a bit cynical about life. She

loves her husband, but she sometimes feels unappreciated.

Frank Lubey Joes other next door neighbor. Frank is a successful businessman who is

into astrology. Frank grew up in the neighborhood with Chris and George. However,

Frank didnt have to serve in the war.

Lydia Lubey Franks wife and the mother of his three children. Lydia used to date

George when they were growing up. She is sweet and generous.

Bert a curious eight-year-old boy who lives down the street.


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These characters are not seen onstage, but are important to the play:

Larry Keller Chriss younger brother, and Joe and Kates younger son. Larry was an

Army Air Force pilot in the South Pacific who disappeared while flying off the coast of

China on November 25th, 1944. After Larry was reported missing, the Kellers planted a

tree in his honor.Steve Deever Ann and Georges father, and Joes former business partner. When Joe

and Steve were accused of knowingly manufacturing faulty airplane parts, Joe was

exonerated while Steve was convicted and sent to prison. He is incarcerated at the state

penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio.

Setting: The private back yard of the Keller home in Northern Ohio. August, 1947.

GLOSSARYHere are some names and terms found in the play that may be unfamiliar:

Andy Gump an average middle-class character from a popular comic strip

Broadcloth a woven fabric with a smooth finish

Casanova (1725-1798) a famous seducer of women; a womanizer.

Dast another way of saying dares.

Don Ameche (1908-1993) a popular film star of the 1930s and 1940s.George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) a brilliant English writer known for his wit and

wordplay.

Haberdashering selling mens hats and suits. (President Harry Truman started out as a

haberdasher.)

Hair shirt a scratchy undershirt worn by martyrs.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) acclaimed non-violent leader of India during the 20th

century.

P-40 one of the most common fighter planes used in World War Two.

Post Toasties a popular cereal during the 1940s.

Rou a lecherous man.

Zeppelin a type of balloon that was fueled by gas and carried passengers or cargo.


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DIRECTING AND DESIGN CONCEPTS

Radford University has been working for several months in order to prepare this

production. Last year, the members of the Theatre & Cinema department worked

together to choose which plays we would produce. After this show was chosen, the

director and designers began reading, researching, drawing, and imagining. During the

summer, the director and designers began meeting to figure out how to tell the story

onstage. It was the directors job to help the designers come up with ideas and figure out

the best way to bring out the action and themes in the play. The scenic designer,

costume designer, sound designer, and lighting designer have created the world that you

see onstage. Students and faculty have been working closely together on the design

team forAll My Sons.

REHEARSALS

Rehearsing and performing this wonderful play has been hard work, but also a lot of fun.

At the beginning of the school year, the director cast the actors. The actors auditioned

with a dramatic monologue and read from the play. Casting was competitive, with many

talented actors auditioning. The actors rehearsed for weeks to bring their characters to

life. In addition, the technicians began working backstage in order to make sure

everything flowed smoothly and safely. It took a lot of help from everyone, from the Props

Master to the Guest Artist to the Ushers. Most of the people involved in putting the

production together are Radford University students.

GUEST ARTIST: CONRAD JOHN SCHUCK

This fall, the Radford University Department of Theatre and Cinema welcomes Conrad

John Schuck to the Pridemore stage to take on the tour-de-force role of Joe Keller. Known

as John Schuck onscreen, he has achieved great success as a character actor in films,

television, and theatre. He is still recognized on the street for his television performances

in "McMillan and Wife," "The Munsters Today," and "Law & Order: SVU" among others.

Trekkies may or may not recognize him behind the Klingon makeup from his roles in Star

Trek IV and VI and on "Star Trek: Voyager." A favorite of groundbreaking director Robert

Altman, Mr. Schuck gave memorable performances in such films asM*A*S*H, Thieves Like


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Us, andMcCabe and Mrs. Miller. Mr. Schuck is no stranger to the stage, having started out

in the theatre. He is especially well-known for his performance of Daddy Warbucks in the

long-running Broadway musicalAnnie, but has over eighty plays to his credit on

Broadway, Off-Broadway, on London's West End, and in America's regional theatres. This

will be the first time Mr. Schuck has taken on the challenging role of Joe Keller, a self-made factory owner accused of manufacturing defective airplane parts which killed

twenty-one World War Two pilots.

ENJOYING THE PLAY

We want to create a theatre production that everyone finds meaningful. Going to a play

can be an exciting event, especially if youve never been to the theatre before. You can

help the actors and technicians do their best, help your classmates enjoy it, and have a

great experience yourself by following these guidelines:

Please only eat and drink outside the theatre. If you are chewing gum, pleasethrow it in a trash can before you go in.

Please do not sit on the chair backs and keep clear of aisles or doorways. Please turn off your cell phones and do not use cameras or any other electronic

gadgets. Taking pictures can be dangerous to the actors. Text messaging during

the performance is also extremely distracting to the actors and to fellow audiencemembers.

Please follow the instructions of your teachers, the house managers, and the ushers. Please pay quiet attention to the show so you dont miss a thing. Although it is

tempting to talk to your neighbors during the show, remember that you can always

talk to them after it is over.


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SOLs for Class Activities (others may also apply):English: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.5, 9.6, 10.1, 10.3, 10.6, 10.7, 10.9, 10.10, 11.1, 11.3, 11.4, 11.6, 11.7,12.1, 12.3, 12.6

Theatre: TI.10, TI.11, TI.15, TI.16, TII.9, TII.13, TII.15, TII.18, TIII.15, TIV.10, TIV.13, TIV.16,TIV.17

CLASS ACTIVITY: DISCUSSION, PAPER, OR PROJECT

QUESTIONS

Why do you imagine that Arthur Miller wanted to write this play?

Which of the acting performances did you find to be the strongest?

Did the actors seem to fit the roles in which they were cast?

Which costume seemed to reveal the most about a characters personality?

How did the lighting help to tell the story in the play?

How did the production flow? Was the pacing smooth and the timing well-coordinated?

How did the staging help to communicate the dramatic action of the play?

What were the most important messages in this play?

How would you describe the Keller back yard, which is the setting of this play?

What was going on in the world in 1947, when the play takes place?

How do parents relate to their children in the play?

Which characters, in your opinion, need to take responsibility for their actions?

Why was Joe home sick when the faulty parts were sent out?

How do the Kellers neighbors feel about them?

In your opinion, what makes a serious play a tragedy?

What are the parallels between the home front during World War Two and the home frontduring the War on Terror?

What similarities exist betweenAll My Sonsand the world today?

What evidence of war profiteering can be found in the news headlines today?


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ACTIVITY: CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Choose one of the characters in the play and create a character analysis using what you

know about the play and its historical and cultural context. Answer the questions in the

first person, as if you were that character. Here are some questions to get you started:

1) What is your full name?2) What makes you an interesting person?3) Where do you live?4) What is your physical age? Mental age? Emotional age?5) What is your Status/Position in society?6) What are your Personality traits when youre at the top of your game?7)

How much education have you had?

8) What are your spiritual beliefs?9) How much respect do you have for authority/government?10)How much respect do you have for other human beings?11)Choose one word that fits you to a "T."12)What do you want out of life?13)What do you do to achieve these lifelong goals?14)What obstacles do you face?15)What do you sound like when you speak?16)How do you move?17)If you were an animal, what sort of animal would you be? Why?18)How do others treat you?

ACTIVITY: BACKSTORY

After reading or watching the play, students can work together to create a timeline of thegiven circumstances, or important events that occurred prior to the actual beginning of the

play. Because so much ofAll My Sonsrevolves around uncovering secrets from the past, it

was important for the actors, director, and designers to try to figure out exactly what

happened to bring about the situation in the play.


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FOR FURTHER STUDY:

http://www.ibiblio.org/miller/

(The Arthur Miller Society Official Website)

http://www.guthrietheater.org/sites/default/files/sons.pdf

(An excellent study guide from the 2002 Minneapolis production ofAll My Sons)

Bigsby, Christoper ed. The Cambridge Companion to Arthur Miller. Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press, 1992.

Griffin, Alice. Understanding Arthur Miller. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press,

1996.

Miller, Arthur. All My Sons. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1974.


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Teacher Evaluation

Because providing quality theatre for our community is so important to us, wed like toknow what you and your students thought of your theatre experience. Please take a fewminutes to fill out this evaluation and mail or fax it back to us at:

Radford University Department of Theatre & CinemaPO Box 6969 RUS

Radford, VA 24142Fax: (540) 831-6313

Overall, how much would you say your students enjoyed the show?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 very much

Was attending the play an educational experience?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 very much

Which elements of the study guide did you find most useful?

What aspect of the play did students identify with the most?

Overall, how would you rate your experience withAll My Sons?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Excellent

Which stories would you like to see onstage in future productions?

Whom should we contact regarding next years season?

Thank you! We also appreciate it when students send us feedback or creative projectscompleted after seeing the show.

If youd like to email a member of the cast, please let us know [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Contact Information

For questions regarding the production ofAll My Sons, please contact:

Jennifer Juul, DirectorAssistant Professor

[email protected](540) 831-5207

For future bookings, please contact:

Monica Weinzapfel, [email protected](540) 831-5705

General Information:Radford University Department of Theatre & CinemaPO Box 6969 RUSRadford, VA 24142Tel: (540) 831-5141Fax: (540) 831-6313Visit us on the web at http://www.runet.edu/~theatre/

The Radford University Department of Theatre & Cinema is an accredited institutionalmember of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The departmentscomprehensive B.A. and B.S. programs provide a solid liberal arts education along with

more advanced training in acting, directing, technical theatre, history and literature, andcinema. The department produces an annual mainstage and studio season featuring avariety of theatre offerings for the University and the local community.

Upcoming Productions:

Trust: One Story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith by Jack NearyChildrens playwright Jack Neary joins forces with the Radford University Department ofTheatre and Cinema to create a very special new play for young audiences celebrating

Virginias 400th anniversary!December 1, 2007, 10 am and 2 pm

Pippin by Roger Hirson and Stephen SchwartzAn audience favorite,Pippin is a clever and entertaining musical sensation presented by

the Departments of Theatre and Cinema, Music, and Dance!April 9-13, 2008
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.runet.edu/~theatre/http://www.runet.edu/~theatre/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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