All My Sons Act 1

Prior to the play, Joe Keller and Kate married, raised two sons Chris and Larry in the neighborhood. They lived next door to Steve Deever, Joe's business partner, and his two children George and Ann. Larry and Ann were childhood sweethearts, George grew up loving another neighbour called Lydia. During World War II George, Chris and Larry all went to war. Lydia married Frank Lubey. Larry became a pilot, and was lost in action (presumably when his plane went down.) Joe and Chris have since accepted his death, but Kate still believes he is alive and going to return. Around the time Larry dissapeared 21 pilots were killed when their planes went down after being loaded with faulty engine heads. This equipment came from Joe and Steve's factory, and they were both arrested. At court the two men blamed each other, but Joe was pardoned while Steve was convicted and imprisoned. George and Ann disowned their father, believing him to have murdered the pilots. Joe returned to the neighborhood, he was at first ostrasised from the community, but later things went back to normal, though all the neighbours still believe Joe is guilty. Ann moves away to New York and George moves away to become a lawyer. Chris realises he has always had feelings for Ann. The night before the play starts, three years after Larry's dissapearance, Ann comes to the Keller house after being invited by Chris. The same night there is a great storm and Larry memorial apple tree is blown down. The return of Larry's old girlfriend, who is still unmarried, and the destruction of the memorial tree, give Kate more reasons to believe that Larry is still alive.

Tragic elements

• Comic relief provided by neighbours, Jim and Sue Bayliss. And Frank and Lydia Lubey.
• Betrayal is a large theme. Chris wants to marry Ann, his brothers girlfriend, betraying his memory. Conflict between Kate and Chris.
• Steve is in prison, Joe professes his innocence over the faulty engine parts, but does he have something hide? Conflict between Joe and the Deever children, and possible Joe and Chris as well.
• Joe's fatal flaw? Appeasement? Simultaneously appeasing Chris's desire to marry Annie and Kate's belief that Larry is still alive.
• Joe and Kate's marriage doesn't seem to be that affectionate. Kate is annoyed that Joe has given up hope of Larry coming back.