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All my sons - Arthur Miller
Keller: “George is calling from Columbus.”
Unmitigated declarative + juxtaposition of tone (from excited about the wedding to cautious about George) - Sense of the past coming up and the truth. George is the catalyst for Keller’s downfall.
“(George is Chris’ age, but a paler man)”
Stage directions - Burdened by the weight of the past.
“I liked it the way it was.”
Unmitigated declarative - idea of the past and not wanting change (parallels Kate, perhaps that is why they get on so well).
“Your father’s [hat]… he asked me to wear it.”
Symbolism - The hat symbolises his relationship with his father, he is representing Steve by wearing it.
“Are you married yet?… You’re not going to marry him.”
Stichomythia - Robbing Ann of her agency so he can get revenge on the Kellers.
Mother: “He looks like a ghost.”
Simile - He is like a spectral figure, possibly paralleling Larry and thus it reflects the truth coming to the present.
“Joe is a big shot and your father is the patsy.”
US gangster dialect - Strong sense of anger.
“(Almost a scream) The court did not know him Annie!”
Theme of family vs society - The court didn't carry out justice so he is trying to carry out his own.
“I saw your factory on the way from the station. It looks like General Motors.”
Motif of wealth + the American Dream - For George, Keller’s successfulness is a symbol of the injustice which was inflicted on his father.
“They made an old man out of you.”
Unmitigated declarative - He is prematurely aged because of the war and his father’s imprisonment.
“The trees got thick, didn’t they?”
Rhetorical question - Referencing the poplars which symbolise the underworld and death.
“(Discovers hat in his hand)”
Kinesics - George identifies with Steve (but is slightly surprised by it) and wants to confront Keller about what happened.
Chris: “You’re a big boy now.” George: “I’m a big boy now.”
Echoing - Used threateningly to overrule Chris. Juxtaposed by his father who is “smaller” now.
“Don’t civilize me!”
Demand - Shows his fury and need for revenge which appears primitive.
“He’s sick, Sick!”
Exclamative - Creates a dramatic mood and emphasises his anger.
“I know that I…”
Ellipsis - His argument against Keller is crumbling due to uncertainty.
“Why did you say he’s never…”
Ellipsis - Réalisation that Keller has been lying. The downfall is sealed.
“Everything they have is covered with blood.”
Unmitigated declarative - Shows that the Keller’s wealth is built on the suffrage of others, thus it is dirty.
“Ahh good ol’ Kate remembered my grape juice.”
Symbolism - The juice symbolises Mother’s manipulation and hold over George.
“But you know him. You know in your heart Joe did it.”
Parallelism - He speaks very much like mother here, ‘listen to your heart, only your heart’.
