Test Preparation

All My Sons
by Arthur Miller
Your Complete Test Preparation Guide (For Grades 7-12)

Multiple Choice Questions, Short Essay & Essay Questions, Mid-Book & Final Test

Multiple Choice Questions

The Multiple Choice Questions in this Test Preparation Guide will test a student's understanding of All My
Sons. The questions are broken out into sections, so they focus on specific chapters within All My Sons.
This allows you to test and review the book as you proceed through the unit.

Short Essay Questions

The Short Essay Questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students
to demonstrate a deeper understanding of All My Sons by describing what they have read, rather than just
recalling it. The short essay questions evaluate not only whether students have read the material, but also
how well they understand and can apply it. They require more thought than a multiple choice question,
but are shorter than the essay questions.

Essay Questions
Students should have a full understanding of the unit material in order to answer these questions. They
often include multiple parts of the work and ask for a thorough analysis of the overall text. These essays
are designed to challenge a student's understanding of the broad points in a work, interactions among the
characters, and main points and themes of the text.

Mid-Book Test (Easy, Medium and Hard)

Final Test (Easy, Medium and Hard)

Answer Keys

©2010 BookRags, Inc.

Multiple Choice
1. In what month does the play take place?
(a) December
(b) April
(c) October
(d) August

2. What is different about the Kellers' yard at the beginning of the play
(a) A tree has fallen
(b) The hammock is broken
(c) A large picnic is going on
(d) It has been mowed

3. What is the only part of the paper that Joe Keller reads?
(a) The world news
(b) The sports section
(c) The want ads
(d) The obituaries

4. Which of the following is not a career that Joe Keller says was an option as a
child?
(a) Banker
(b) Lawyer
(c) Doctor
(d) Shopkeeper

5. What type of whether does the paper forecast for the evening?
(a) Snow
(b) Rain
(c) Clear skies
(d) Overcast

6. Whose horoscope is Frank Lubey making at the beginning of the play?

(a) Larry's
(b) Chris's
(c) Joe's
(d) Ann's

1
7. Whose son constantly takes people's temperatures?
(a) Frank's
(b) Joe's
(c) Ann's
(d) Jim's

8. On what day is Larry Keller supposed to have died?

(a) January 21
(b) May 1
(c) November 25
(d) June 19

9. Who arrived in town yesterday to stay with the Kellers?

(a) Ann
(b) George
(c) Larry
(d) Bert

10. Why does Jim have to leave Joe Keller's yard at the beginning of the first act?
(a) He has to work on this roof
(b) His wife cannot work the toaster
(c) Mrs. Adams calls him
(d) He has to see Mr. Hubbard

11. What does the block need more of, according to Jim?
(a) Policemen
(b) Pretty girls
(c) Dogs
(d) Stop signs

12. With whom does Jim say he wants to play golf?

(a) Chris
(b) Joe
(c) Ann
(d) Kate

13. What occupation did Susie have?

(a) Schoolteacher
(b) Factory worker
(c) Nurse
(d) Bus driver

2
14. What item can Lydia not figure out when she enters in Act 1?
(a) The french press
(b) The radio
(c) The toaster
(d) The lawnmower

15. Why does Sue think she should have been born a man?
(a) She is over six feet tall
(b) She relates to men better than women
(c) She is always introduced to beautiful women
(d) She is better at carpentry than her husband

16. How many times has Annie been married?

(a) One time
(b) Never
(c) Two times
(d) Three times

17. Joe Keller says a doctor could make a million dollars if he could bring a boy
into the world without what body part?
(a) Right foot
(b) Index finger
(c) Eyes
(d) Nose

18. What appliance does Lydia accidentally plug in?

(a) Toaster
(b) Malted mixer
(c) Humidifier
(d) Bread maker

19. What section of the paper is Chris always reading?

(a) The book section
(b) The obituaries
(c) The movie times
(d) The stocks

20. What "job" has Joe Keller given Bert?

(a) Doctor
(b) Mayor
(c) Policeman
(d) Fireman

3
21. Who said a dirty word, according to Bert?
(a) Tommy Bayliss
(b) Chris Keller
(c) Lydia Lubey
(d) Jim Bayliss

22. At what time did Chris see his mother standing in the yard?
(a) Four in the morning
(b) Eight in the morning
(c) Midnight
(d) Noon

23. What does Chris think that he and Joe should tell Kate?
(a) That Joe's factory is closing
(b) That Joe would like to move
(c) That Larry is likely dead
(d) That Chris loves Ann

24. What is reported in the paper once a month, according to Joe Keller?
(a) A murder happens in town
(b) An MIA soldier returns home
(c) A factory like his is forced to close
(d) A want ad appears for old dictionaries

25. Who asked Ann Deever to visit?

(a) Kate Keller
(b) Joe Keller
(c) Herbert Deever
(d) Chris Keller

26. Why does Kate think that Chris has no right to marry Ann, according to Joe?
(a) She thinks that Larry is still alive
(b) It would sully Larry's memory
(c) She was his sister-in-law
(d) She doesn't like Ann

27. How long ago did Chris return from the war?
(a) Ten years ago
(b) Two years ago
(c) Fifteen year ago
(d) Five years ago

4
161. According to Ann, where did Larry's plane crash?
(a) New Zealand
(b) Japan
(c) China
(d) Australia

162. By what does Kate grab Ann while they argue about Larry's death?
(a) Her shoulders
(b) Her hair
(c) Her neck
(d) Her wrists

163. What is the first thing that Ann notices about Chris when he enters in Act 3?
(a) His shaking hands
(b) His red cheeks
(c) His perspiration
(d) His dirty shirt

164. Where does Chris leave the car that he drove around?
(a) In the front lawn of the Kellers' house
(b) In the Kellers' garage
(c) In the street
(d) At the park

165. Where does Chris intend to move?

(a) Cincinnati
(b) St. Louis
(c) Louisville
(d) Cleveland

166. Who does Chris say he would have gone to see if he had known of his
father's culpability in the scandal?
(a) The district attorney
(b) A priest
(c) His army contact
(d) Steve Deever

167. Who are the only people, according to Chris, who are not practical in the
world?
(a) Those who are destitute
(b) Those who are dead
(c) Those who believe in God
(d) Those who love someone

24
168. What animal does Chris say this town is full of?
(a) Snakes
(b) Wolves
(c) Chickens
(d) Dogs

169. Which of the following is not something Joe Keller recommends Chris do
with his money if he thinks it's dirty?
(a) Give it to the police
(b) Give it to charity
(c) Burn it
(d) Throw it in the sewer

170. What does Joe Keller call himself as he rails about the money he made for
Chris?
(a) A dog
(b) A patsy
(c) A loser
(d) A dead man

171. What point about the people that worked for the war does Joe desperately
make in this section?
(a) They were all on the same side
(b) They all had a responsibility to the soldiers
(c) No one but the soldiers did any of the fighting
(d) No one worked for free

172. When did Larry write the letter Ann shows the family?
(a) The day he died
(b) His birthday
(c) The week before he died
(d) The day before he died

173. What does Joe claim a man cannot be in this world?

(a) Jesus
(b) A hermit
(c) A saint
(d) A stone

174. Who reads Larry's letter to the family?

(a) Joe
(b) Kate
(c) Ann
(d) Chris

25
175. What item did Larry Keller receive that upset him so greatly?
(a) A letter from Ann
(b) A gift from Kate
(c) A false notice that Chris had died
(d) A newspaper

176. What does Larry say he would do to Joe if they were in the same room?
(a) Punch him
(b) Hug him
(c) Kill him
(d) Forgive him

177. Where does Joe Keller indicate he intends to go?

(a) The Deever house
(b) The park
(c) Church
(d) Prison

178. To whom does Chris tell Kate that she and Dad are responsible?
(a) Everyone
(b) The neighborhood
(c) The soldiers
(d) Larry

179. What noise sends the whole neighborhood into panic at the end of the play?
(a) A crash
(b) A shot
(c) A thunderclap
(d) A scream

180. What single-worded piece of advice does Kate give Chris in the last moment
of the play?
(a) Live
(b) Love
(c) Forgive
(d) Hope

26
Multiple Choice Key
1. D 41. B 81. B 121. A 161. C
2. A 42. A 82. C 122. B 162. D
3. C 43. A 83. A 123. B 163. C
4. A 44. C 84. B 124. C 164. B
5. B 45. B 85. D 125. D 165. D
6. A 46. B 86. D 126. B 166. A
7. D 47. D 87. D 127. C 167. B
8. C 48. D 88. D 128. B 168. D
9. A 49. A 89. D 129. C 169. A
10. C 50. A 90. A 130. D 170. D
11. B 51. A 91. B 131. D 171. D
12. A 52. A 92. A 132. C 172. A
13. C 53. C 93. A 133. B 173. A
14. C 54. C 94. A 134. B 174. D
15. C 55. C 95. A 135. C 175. D
16. A 56. D 96. B 136. C 176. C
17. B 57. C 97. D 137. D 177. D
18. B 58. B 98. A 138. B 178. A
19. A 59. A 99. A 139. B 179. B
20. C 60. D 100. B 140. A 180. A

21. A 61. A 101. C 141. C

22. C 62. D 102. B 142. C
23. C 63. B 103. A 143. A
24. B 64. A 104. D 144. B
25. D 65. C 105. C 145. D
26. A 66. C 106. D 146. A
27. D 67. C 107. B 147. B
28. A 68. C 108. D 148. C
29. D 69. C 109. C 149. D
30. C 70. A 110. C 150. B
31. C 71. B 111. A 151. D
32. D 72. D 112. B 152. C
33. B 73. C 113. D 153. C
34. A 74. C 114. A 154. C
35. A 75. C 115. B 155. A
36. B 76. D 116. B 156. B
37. B 77. B 117. A 157. A
38. B 78. C 118. D 158. D
39. C 79. C 119. D 159. D
40. B 80. C 120. B 160. B

27
Short Answer Questions
1. In what month does the play take place?

2. What is different about the Kellers' yard at the beginning of the play

3. What is the only part of the paper that Joe Keller reads?

4. Which of the following is not a career that Joe Keller says was an option as a
child?

5. What type of whether does the paper forecast for the evening?

6. Whose horoscope is Frank Lubey making at the beginning of the play?

7. Whose son constantly takes people's temperatures?

28
8. On what day is Larry Keller supposed to have died?

9. Who arrived in town yesterday to stay with the Kellers?

10. Why does Jim have to leave Joe Keller's yard at the beginning of the first act?

11. What does the block need more of, according to Jim?

12. With whom does Jim say he wants to play golf?

13. What occupation did Susie have?

14. What item can Lydia not figure out when she enters in Act 1?

29
15. Why does Sue think she should have been born a man?

16. How many times has Annie been married?

17. Joe Keller says a doctor could make a million dollars if he could bring a boy
into the world without what body part?

18. What appliance does Lydia accidentally plug in?

19. What section of the paper is Chris always reading?

20. What "job" has Joe Keller given Bert?

21. Who said a dirty word, according to Bert?

30
155. What gesture does Kate suggest Joe make to Chris?

156. At what age does Joe claim he was "put out" to work?

157. On how much money does Joe claim that he could live if he didn't have a
family?

158. What do people say Chris was in the war?

159. According to Joe, what happens to Chris if you overcharge someone two
cents?

160. What does Ann ask Kate to do when Chris returns home?

161. According to Ann, where did Larry's plane crash?

76

50
162. By what does Kate grab Ann while they argue about Larry's death?

163. What is the first thing that Ann notices about Chris when he enters in Act 3?

164. Where does Chris leave the car that he drove around?

165. Where does Chris intend to move?

166. Who does Chris say he would have gone to see if he had known of his
father's culpability in the scandal?

167. Who are the only people, according to Chris, who are not practical in the
world?

168. What animal does Chris say this town is full of?

51
169. Which of the following is not something Joe Keller recommends Chris do
with his money if he thinks it's dirty?

170. What does Joe Keller call himself as he rails about the money he made for
Chris?

171. What point about the people that worked for the war does Joe desperately
make in this section?

172. When did Larry write the letter Ann shows the family?

173. What does Joe claim a man cannot be in this world?

174. Who reads Larry's letter to the family?

175. What item did Larry Keller receive that upset him so greatly?

52
176. What does Larry say he would do to Joe if they were in the same room?

177. Where does Joe Keller indicate he intends to go?

178. To whom does Chris tell Kate that she and Dad are responsible?

179. What noise sends the whole neighborhood into panic at the end of the play?

180. What single-worded piece of advice does Kate give Chris in the last moment
of the play?

53
Short Answer Questions Key
1. In what month does the play take place?

August

2. What is different about the Kellers' yard at the beginning of the play

A tree has fallen

3. What is the only part of the paper that Joe Keller reads?

The want ads

4. Which of the following is not a career that Joe Keller says was an option as a
child?

Banker

5. What type of whether does the paper forecast for the evening?

Rain

6. Whose horoscope is Frank Lubey making at the beginning of the play?

Larry's

7. Whose son constantly takes people's temperatures?

Jim's

54
8. On what day is Larry Keller supposed to have died?

November 25

9. Who arrived in town yesterday to stay with the Kellers?

Ann

10. Why does Jim have to leave Joe Keller's yard at the beginning of the first act?

Mrs. Adams calls him

11. What does the block need more of, according to Jim?

Pretty girls

12. With whom does Jim say he wants to play golf?

Chris

13. What occupation did Susie have?

Nurse

14. What item can Lydia not figure out when she enters in Act 1?

The toaster

55
15. Why does Sue think she should have been born a man?

She is always introduced to beautiful women

16. How many times has Annie been married?

One time

17. Joe Keller says a doctor could make a million dollars if he could bring a boy
into the world without what body part?

Index finger

18. What appliance does Lydia accidentally plug in?

Malted mixer

19. What section of the paper is Chris always reading?

The book section

20. What "job" has Joe Keller given Bert?

Policeman

21. Who said a dirty word, according to Bert?

Tommy Bayliss

56
22. At what time did Chris see his mother standing in the yard?

Midnight

23. What does Chris think that he and Joe should tell Kate?

That Larry is likely dead

24. What is reported in the paper once a month, according to Joe Keller?

An MIA soldier returns home

25. Who asked Ann Deever to visit?

Chris Keller

26. Why does Kate think that Chris has no right to marry Ann, according to Joe?

She thinks that Larry is still alive

27. How long ago did Chris return from the war?

Five years ago

28. Where is Chris thinking of moving after he marries?

New York

57
162. By what does Kate grab Ann while they argue about Larry's death?

Her wrists

163. What is the first thing that Ann notices about Chris when he enters in Act 3?

His perspiration

164. Where does Chris leave the car that he drove around?

In the Kellers' garage

165. Where does Chris intend to move?

Cleveland

166. Who does Chris say he would have gone to see if he had known of his
father's culpability in the scandal?

The district attorney

167. Who are the only people, according to Chris, who are not practical in the
world?

Those who are dead

168. What animal does Chris say this town is full of?

Dogs

77
169. Which of the following is not something Joe Keller recommends Chris do
with his money if he thinks it's dirty?

Give it to the police

170. What does Joe Keller call himself as he rails about the money he made for
Chris?

A dead man

171. What point about the people that worked for the war does Joe desperately
make in this section?

No one worked for free

172. When did Larry write the letter Ann shows the family?

The day he died

173. What does Joe claim a man cannot be in this world?

Jesus

174. Who reads Larry's letter to the family?

Chris

175. What item did Larry Keller receive that upset him so greatly?

A newspaper

78
176. What does Larry say he would do to Joe if they were in the same room?

Kill him

177. Where does Joe Keller indicate he intends to go?

Prison

178. To whom does Chris tell Kate that she and Dad are responsible?

Everyone

179. What noise sends the whole neighborhood into panic at the end of the play?

A shot

180. What single-worded piece of advice does Kate give Chris in the last moment
of the play?

Live

79
Short Essay Questions
1. What is the significance of the fallen tree in the Kellers' yard?

2. Describe Joe Keller.

3. Why is Frank Lubey drawing up a horoscope?

4. How does Joe feel about Ann's visiting the family?

5. Why does Joe only read the want ads in the paper?

6. Describe Jim Bayliss' relationship with his wife.

7. What does Bert report to Joe Keller in Act 1?

80
8. In this section of Act 1, what deal do Joe and Chris strike regarding Chris's
staying with the family business?

9. Why is Kate annoyed at Joe when she comes out of the house?

10. Why is Kate unwilling to acknowledge Larry's death, according to Joe?

11. Describe the dream that Kate had the night before the play begins.

12. What order does Kate Keller give her son and husband?

13. What does Ann believe about Larry's fate?

14. What story does Kate tell to demonstrate her intuitive connection with Larry?

81
43. What news does Frank Lubey bring to the Keller house?

44. What does Ann tell George about her leaving the Kellers?

45. Why does Kate have to believe that Larry is still alive?

46. What is Joe's reasoning that Larry was not one of the pilots killed because of
his factory's mistake?

47. What did Joe think would happen after the faulty cylinder heads went out?

48. What is the thrust of Chris's final argument to his father?

49. Describe the story that Jim tells about the year he left his family.

86
50. How does Kate recommend Joe make amends to Chris?

51. How does Joe blame Kate for his scandal?

52. What favor does Ann ask of Kate and why?

53. What does Kate warn Ann of, regarding Chris?

54. How does Ann break Kate's resolve that Larry is alive?

55. What is Chris's plan now that he knows the truth about his family?

56. How did Larry die, according to his letter?

87
57. How does Joe defend himself to Chris regarding the money he made?

58. How do Joe and Chris view the world differently?

59. Why does Joe take his own life?

60. Explain the significance of the title of the play as a thematic element?

88
Short Essay Questions Key
1. What is the significance of the fallen tree in the Kellers' yard?

The tree that cracked in the wind the night before the play begins was planted for Larry
Keller, the Kellers' son who disappeared several years ago while fighting in the war.
Today would have been his birthday.

2. Describe Joe Keller.

Joe Keller is the quintessence of the self-made man. He comes from working class
roots, and he is stoic, pragmatic, considerate and loving toward his family. He speaks
only when certain of what he will say.

3. Why is Frank Lubey drawing up a horoscope?

Frank is drawing up Larry Keller's horoscope for November 25 at the request of Kate
Keller, Larry's mother. Larry disappeared on November 25, and Kate wants to know if
that was a favorable day for Larry, since that would be a day that he could not have
conceivably died if it were favorable.

4. How does Joe feel about Ann's visiting the family?

Joe is happy that Ann has finally come to visit them. It is the first time she has done so
since Larry's death, and Joe hopes she has gotten over him Her beauty and life are
wonderful lifts to Joe.

5. Why does Joe only read the want ads in the paper?

Joe Keller does not like reading the news, which he says is nothing but bad. He reads
the want ads because he is amused by the strange things people want.

89
6. Describe Jim Bayliss' relationship with his wife.

Sue Bayliss constantly henpecks Jim about money, hectoring him to see patients that
are likely not sick. She is also jealous of the women that call on Jim for medical help.
Jim, for his part, is put off by Sue's haranguing. He complains that he would like to get
away from him for a few years.

7. What does Bert report to Joe Keller in Act 1?

In Act 1, Bert reports several "crimes" to Joe Keller. He tells him that a kid was kicking a
can down the street, but he put a stop to it since Joe was sleeping. He also tells Keller
that Tommy, Jim's son, said a dirty word, although he will not relate it.

8. In this section of Act 1, what deal do Joe and Chris strike regarding Chris's
staying with the family business?

Chris tells Joe that he wants to marry Ann and that he wants to leave town. Joe begs
him to reconsider, and Chris tells him that if Joe can find a way to convince Kate that he
should marry Ann he will stay.

9. Why is Kate annoyed at Joe when she comes out of the house?

Kate is annoyed at Joe because Joe threw away a whole sack of potatoes. Evidently
Joe thought that the bag was full of garbage.

10. Why is Kate unwilling to acknowledge Larry's death, according to Joe?

Joe believes that the fact that every month a new young soldier returns home after
being missing for years. He thinks that her her reading these stories in the newspaper is
stoking her lingering hope.

11. Describe the dream that Kate had the night before the play begins.

Kate dreams that she sees Larry flying a plane like he did when he was training. He

90
begins to crash and cries out for her to save him. She reaches out to him, believing that
if she can reach him she can save him. Kate wakes up to hear the cracking of Larry's
tree as it collapses in the wind.

12. What order does Kate Keller give her son and husband?

Kate orders Chris and Joe never to give up on the possibility of Larry's being alive. She
insists that they encourage Ann to remain faithful to him, insisting that if he is not
coming home, she cannot go on with life.

13. What does Ann believe about Larry's fate?

Ann tells the hopeful and optimistic Kate Keller that she believes Larry is dead. She has
stayed faithful to him for a long time, but she no longer has hope for his survival.

14. What story does Kate tell to demonstrate her intuitive connection with Larry?

Kate Keller explains to Ann why she knows Larry to be alive. Evidently, during the war
Larry had a close call where he was nearly killed, and the day this happened Kate was
stricken and in despair. She could not lift her head off the pillow in the morning. This
proves to her that she will know in her heart if Larry is dead.

15. For what crime is Ann's father in prison?

Ann's father, Steve Deever, was Joe Keller's partner during the war. They made cylinder
heads for fighter planes, and one day while Joe was out sick, Steve let an entire
shipment of cylinder heads go out with cracks in them. Twenty-one planes went down
over Australia as a result, and both Joe and Steve were arrested. Joe was exonerated,
however, since he was sick at the time.

16. Describe Frank Lubey and Ann's interchange.

Frank and Ann have a brief and tactless interchange in this section of Act 1. After some
opening pleasantries, Frank asks point blank whether Ann's father is up for parole any
time soon. Ann is graceful and vague, and Frank goes on to explain how he thinks her

91
into any planes. He would have the process fixed by that time, so he reasoned any
push-back from the army would be minimal.

48. What is the thrust of Chris's final argument to his father?

Chris is repulsed by the thoughtless, destructive, and selfish actions of his father. This
individualistic behavior is the same behavior that his rendered him disillusioned after the
war. He accuses his father is being unable to think beyond his business and wonders
aloud how he can teach him the true consequences of his choices.

49. Describe the story that Jim tells about the year he left his family.

Jim Bayliss tells Kate about the year he escaped the darkness of his money-focused
life. He left his family abruptly and went down to New Orleans, where he did research
into a certain disease. After time, Sue found him and begged him to return, which he
did. Still, he says he longs for the happiness he felt there.

50. How does Kate recommend Joe make amends to Chris?

Kate recommends that Joe look Chris in the eye and admit that he did an awful thing.
Moreover, she recommends that he tell Chris he is willing to go to prison for his actions,
expecting that Chris will not take him up on his offer.

51. How does Joe blame Kate for his scandal?

Joe Keller claims that Kate drove him to commit his indiscretions because she wanted
him to make money. He felt pressured by her to produce, and taking care of his family
has been his whole world. He says he could live on next to nothing if he were just
considering himself.

52. What favor does Ann ask of Kate and why?

Ann tells Kate that Kate has made Chris feel guilty about loving her. She says he will be
paralyzed by this guilt for as long as he thinks his brother may be alive. As such, Ann
asks Kate to tell Chris that Larry is dead.

98
53. What does Kate warn Ann of, regarding Chris?

Kate warns Ann that Chris may love her now, but once they are married the love will
dissipate. She says that Chris will always be haunted waiting for his brother to return.

54. How does Ann break Kate's resolve that Larry is alive?

Kate will not believe Ann that Larry crashed off the coast of China. Ann asks Joe to go
back in the house and gives Kate a letter. It is the last letter that Larry sent her before
disappearing, and she never wanted to show it to Kate until this moment. Kate reads the
letter and breaks down.

55. What is Chris's plan now that he knows the truth about his family?

When Chris returns to the house, he announces to his family that he intends to leave
town. He plans to go to Cleveland to start a new life, since he feels he has lived his
present life as a coward.

56. How did Larry die, according to his letter?

According to his letter to Ann, Larry received word form the States that Joe and Steve
had been indicted with the willful production of faulty equipment. He is so disappointed
that he resolves to intentionally crash his plane in his next mission.

57. How does Joe defend himself to Chris regarding the money he made?

Joe Keller mockingly says that his money is no dirtier than anyone else's who did work
for the war. He points out to Chris that everyone who did war work made money from it.
No one worked for free.

58. How do Joe and Chris view the world differently?

Joe Keller believes that the greatest aspiration in life is to work to make a better life for
his family. He cannot imagine a higher calling. Chris, having been in war and seeing the

99
sacrifice of his men, believes the highest call a man can answer is to make the world
better for the whole human race

59. Why does Joe take his own life?

Joe Keller has worked hard his entire life to take care of his family and establish his
name as a beacon of respectability. The realization that his son Larry committed suicide
because of his actions makes clear to Joe that he has betrayed his higher duty to the
welfare of the world. As such, his work has been the undoing of both of his aspirations.

60. Explain the significance of the title of the play as a thematic element?

Joe Keller believes that there is no greater duty in his world than taking care of this
family. He intentionally puts other lives in danger to assure the financial security of his
sons, but Larry, Joe realizes, regards all of the soldiers who lost their lives because of
Joe's mistake as his sons. Joe realizes at the end of the play that all of humanity is his
family and he betrayed them.

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Essay Topics
Essay Topic 1
The idea of money as a corrupting influence is a central theme in All My Sons. The
attitude of certain characters in the play toward the world is often perverted by their
attitude toward money. Write an essay on the following topics:

Part 1) How does Joe Keller's understanding of the human race become corrupted by
his desire to make money? Why does he place the pursuit of wealth in such esteem?

Part 2) Compare Ann Deever's response to Chris Keller's promise to make her a fortune
to Joe Keller's understanding with his wife. How do they reflect different world views?

Part 3) How does Jim and Sue Bayliss' marriage mirror the relationship between Chris
and Joe Keller in regard to their conflict toward the value of money?

Essay Topic 2
Joe Keller is a tragic figure because he wants to achieve one thing and succeeds in
achieving its opposite. Write an essay on this topic, examining his intentions and what
they ultimately yield. Cite specific examples from the text to corroborate your points. Is
failing to get what you want always a tragic thing?

Essay Topic 3
Choose one of the following to write an essay about:

1.) What does fighting in the war teach Chris Keller about the world? How is this lesson
destroyed by what he experiences when he returns to the States, and why does he feel
guilty as a result? What is Miller saying about the perversion of values in America?

2.) Compare Joe Keller's assessment of the war-producers in the United States in Act 3
to Chris Keller's description of the men he fought with in the war. How do these
descriptions reflect opposing values systems.

3.) Compare Kate Keller and Ann Deever's situations following the war. How are they
both held prisoners by the war?

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Essay Topic 4
The tragedy of Joe Keller's life is driven by his realization that the world does not end
with his family. His only impetus to do right is to do right by his wife and sons. Write
about this topic in three parts:

Part 1) Joe Keller and his son Chris have two conversations about Chris' plans for the
future. Chris is disillusioned by the individualism of America after the war. What does
Joe want from his son, more than anything? How do his wishes reflect a lack of
understanding of his son's world view?

Part 2) Joe Keller successfully lies to himself for three and a half years regarding his
complicity in the deaths of 21 pilots. How does his attitude toward his family and the rest
of the world make this an easy delusion for him?

Part 3) How does Larry's letter shatter Joe Keller's world view? What does Joe realize
about his duty to the world at large that brings him to kill himself?

Essay Topic 5
Chris Keller is a surrogate for Arthur Miller in this play, since his idealism and world view
reflect the message of Miller's play. His debates with Joe are Miller's debates with the
world. Write an essay on the topic of Chris as a surrogate for the playwright, citing three
messages Miller intends to get across and how Chris projects them.

Essay Topic 6
Choose one of the following topics to write an essay:

1.) Do you consider Joe Keller to be a selfish man? Did he actually feel pressure from
his wife to make money, or was this just an imagined pressure? Does his lifestyle reflect
a corrupt values system?

2.) Jim Bayliss discusses a year that he abruptly left his family to do medical research in
New Orleans. What this a selfish choice or an altruistic one? Was Sue Bayliss' demand
that he return selfish?

3.) Compare and contrast the world views of Sue Bayliss, Kate Keller, and Ann Deever.
Are any of them unreasonably focused on money?

Essay Topic 7
Kate Keller's conception of the war is presented in the play as a great disordering of
arrangements. Write an essay on Kate's struggle against this disordering, using Larry's

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One Week Quiz A
Name: _________________________ Period: ___________________

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Act 2, Part
4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where has a long-lost American soldier recently turned up, according to Kate?
(a) Mexico
(b) Portugal
(c) Burma
(d) India

2. What item is Ann sad to see is missing from her old backyard?
(a) A tree-house
(b) A picnic table
(c) A hammock
(d) A dog house

3. What mechanical part did Joe Keller and Steve Deever's factory make?
(a) Coolant hoses
(b) Siding plates
(c) Rivets
(d) Cylinder heads

4. Joe say Kate has been talking _____________ for three and a half years?
(a) Like a newspaper
(b) Like a maniac
(c) Like a ghost
(d) Like a martyr

5. Which two words does Joe confuse when talking to Ann and Chris about
George?
(a) Brooch and broach
(b) Abberant and apparent
(c) Attend and offend
(d) Skittish and Scottish

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Short Answer Questions
1. Who does Ann say is the only person who can tell her to leave the house?

2. What does Kate Keller still do regularly in preparation for Larry's return?

3. Which of the following is not something Joe lists as being something people
must do with Steve Deever to show them he is not a murderer?

4. Ann tells Chris that doing what upsets her stomach?

5. What does Joe say that Steve Deever is instead of a murderer?

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Multiple Choice Questions Key
1. C
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. A

Short Answer Questions Key

1. Who does Ann say is the only person who can tell her to leave the house?

Chris

2. What does Kate Keller still do regularly in preparation for Larry's return?

Shines his shoes

3. Which of the following is not something Joe lists as being something people
must do with Steve Deever to show them he is not a murderer?

Pray with him

4. Ann tells Chris that doing what upsets her stomach?

Scheming

5. What does Joe say that Steve Deever is instead of a murderer?

A fool

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Mid-Book Test - Hard
Name: _________________________ Period: ___________________

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3)
essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Joe Keller promise at the end of the act?

2. With whom does Jim say he wants to play golf?

3. Whose son constantly takes people's temperatures?

4. What is the only part of the paper that Joe Keller reads?

5. What does Chris think that he and Joe should tell Kate?

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Short Essay Questions
1. Why does George believe that Chris already knows Joe is guilty?

2. What is Kate's concern about Ann?

3. How do Joe and Chris view the world differently?

4. In this section of Act 1, what deal do Joe and Chris strike regarding Chris's
staying with the family business?

5. What story does Kate tell to demonstrate her intuitive connection with Larry?

6. What does Kate warn Ann of, regarding Chris?

7. What is the significance of the fallen tree in the Kellers' yard?

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8. Describe Joe Keller.

9. Describe the story that Jim tells about the year he left his family.

10. What does Bert report to Joe Keller in Act 1?

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Essay Topics
Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the Keller family's place in the community at the beginning of the
play. How do they believe they are perceived by the neighborhood and how are they
perceived in reality? How do they maintain their supposed status? Cite specific
moments in the play to corroborate your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Why does Joe Keller kill himself? Write an essay on this topic, citing three specific
realizations that Joe has in the last act of the play, leading to his going into the house to
kill himself.

Essay Topic 3

Characters in All My Sons make frequent reference to the supernatural in the play, as if
there were an otherworldly hand guiding their daily actions. Write an essay in the
following three parts:

Part 1) Examine how the destruction of Larry's tree - and the dream that surrounds its
destruction - affects Kate Keller's world. What significance does she assign to it?

Part 2) What is Frank Lubey's world view, and how is it the result of the life he has lived
to this point in his life?

Part 3) What does Jim Bayliss have to say about the nature of fate and the stars in the
third act? How is it a refutation of the ideas of both Frank Lubey and Kate Keller?

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Short Answer Key
1. What does Joe Keller promise at the end of the act?

To convince Kate to approve his marriage

2. With whom does Jim say he wants to play golf?

Chris

3. Whose son constantly takes people's temperatures?

Jim's

4. What is the only part of the paper that Joe Keller reads?

The want ads

5. What does Chris think that he and Joe should tell Kate?

That Larry is likely dead

Short Essay Answer Key

1. Why does George believe that Chris already knows Joe is guilty?

George is certain that Chris believes Joe is guilty because he has not put his name on
the Keller business. George reasons that Chris doesn't want his name attached to his
father's dirty money.

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2. What is Kate's concern about Ann?

Kate is concerned about George Deever's impending visit. She is now suspect of the
entire Deever family, advising Chris to be careful of Ann. After all, she says, they all hate
the Kellers.

3. How do Joe and Chris view the world differently?

Joe Keller believes that the greatest aspiration in life is to work to make a better life for
his family. He cannot imagine a higher calling. Chris, having been in war and seeing the
sacrifice of his men, believes the highest call a man can answer is to make the world
better for the whole human race

4. In this section of Act 1, what deal do Joe and Chris strike regarding Chris's
staying with the family business?

Chris tells Joe that he wants to marry Ann and that he wants to leave town. Joe begs
him to reconsider, and Chris tells him that if Joe can find a way to convince Kate that he
should marry Ann he will stay.

5. What story does Kate tell to demonstrate her intuitive connection with Larry?

Kate Keller explains to Ann why she knows Larry to be alive. Evidently, during the war
Larry had a close call where he was nearly killed, and the day this happened Kate was
stricken and in despair. She could not lift her head off the pillow in the morning. This
proves to her that she will know in her heart if Larry is dead.

6. What does Kate warn Ann of, regarding Chris?

Kate warns Ann that Chris may love her now, but once they are married the love will
dissipate. She says that Chris will always be haunted waiting for his brother to return.

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7. What is the significance of the fallen tree in the Kellers' yard?

The tree that cracked in the wind the night before the play begins was planted for Larry
Keller, the Kellers' son who disappeared several years ago while fighting in the war.
Today would have been his birthday.

8. Describe Joe Keller.

Joe Keller is the quintessence of the self-made man. He comes from working class
roots, and he is stoic, pragmatic, considerate and loving toward his family. He speaks
only when certain of what he will say.

9. Describe the story that Jim tells about the year he left his family.

Jim Bayliss tells Kate about the year he escaped the darkness of his money-focused
life. He left his family abruptly and went down to New Orleans, where he did research
into a certain disease. After time, Sue found him and begged him to return, which he
did. Still, he says he longs for the happiness he felt there.

10. What does Bert report to Joe Keller in Act 1?

In Act 1, Bert reports several "crimes" to Joe Keller. He tells him that a kid was kicking a
can down the street, but he put a stop to it since Joe was sleeping. He also tells Keller
that Tommy, Jim's son, said a dirty word, although he will not relate it.

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