The American Dream and 'all My Sons'

The American dream can be interpreted in many different ways; however the most common interpretation is that of, having the opportunity and freedom that allows all citizens to achieve their goals in life through hard work and determination.

A more modern interpretation may generally refer to the idea that someone's success may depend upon their abilities and whether or not they are hard working, not on class structures. The meaning of the American dream has changed over America's history. For some, it is the opportunity to achieve more success than they could in their countries of origin; for others, it is the opportunity for their children to grow up with an education and career and for others, it is the opportunity to be an individual without the restriction of classes, castes, races, or ethnicities.

In relation to the play 'All My Sons,' the American Dream seems to be criticized. The main character, Joe Keller is a businessman who lives life as an average American that has survived through the great depression. Keller is not particularly well educated but is able to have owned his own factory manufacturing important airplane parts. Alike to any American of this time he is hoping that his son will inherit this business. However throughout the play, Keller's extreme determination of completing and gaining this so called 'American Dream' leads to him being responsible for the death of 21 American pilots, one of which could also be his son.

Keller is shown to have apparently achieved the 'American Dream.' He lives in a 'comfortable' house despite being an 'uneducated man.' I think that the author Arthur Miller has done this to emphasize the worthlessness of the American Dream and that people should think about the consequences of their actions. The American dream is shown simply to be of material value in this play, as Keller is substantially well off, for