Study Questions on All My Sons
1. Discuss the theme of compromise, giving three characters as
examples.
2. There are many characters in the play who face a conflict
between family loyalties and other responsibilities, such as to their
consciences/society/themselves. Describe such a conflict as it
relates to the following characters: Ann/George/Chris/Jim.
3. Discuss the effects of World War II on these characters:
Joe/Kate/Ann/Chris/George/Frank
4. Jim: : "Money. Money. Money. If you say it long enough it
doesn't mean anything."
a. What is the attitude of the following characters to money:
Chris/Joe/Jim/Sue
b. What is Jim saying here about what
money can do to people?How does this comment relate to the
play as a whole?
5. What is Arthur Miller saying about the institution of marriage
in the play? Illustrate with examples.
6. a. "Do you notice there's more light with that thing gone?"
What does the TREE symbolize in this play?
b. "Jim thinks he's in jail all the time."
What does the JAIL symbolize in the play?
7. What is Arthur Miller criticizing about American society in
this play?