All My Sons - Act 1 (understanding the play)

A. Put the sentences in the correct place. Kate Keller She is in her nearly fifties. She is a very loving person. She is Chris and Larry's mother. She believes that Larry is alive. Joe Keller He is nearly sixty. He has been a business man for many years. He is a self-made man. his judgements are based on experience and common sense. He is uneducated. Jim Bayliss He is nearly forty. He is a doctor. He is an easy talker with a sense of humor. He and his wife live in the house Annie's family used to live in. He seems to be a sad man. Frank Lubey He is a pleasant opinionated man. He believes in horoscopes. He is superstitious. He is 32 and balding. Chris He is 32 years old. He is a good listener. He resembles his father physically. He is loyal and affectionate. He is not at ease with women. Ann (Annie) She's was Larry's fiancée. She used to live next door to the Kellers. She is still unmarried. She lives in New York. Sue She is Jim's wife. She's rounding forty. She is an overweight woman who fears it. She was a nurse. Lydia She's Frank's wife. She is a robust, laughing girl. She is twenty seven years old. She has three kids. B. The playwright gradually reveals more about each of the characters in the play. What do you know about them at the end of the Act One? Complete the sentences below. Keller 1. He was accused of selling cracked cylinder heads to the Air Force.2. He has a court paper to prove that he is innocent.3. He says that Steve made a mistake, but he is not a murderer.He wasn't at the plant when Steve covered over the cracks. Kate 1. She can't accept the idea that Larry is dead.2. She dreamed that Larry had crashed his plane.3. She is convinced that Ann is still waiting for Larry.4. She says that it was too soon to plant the tree.5. at the end of Act One she feels threatened by George. Chris 1. He tells his dad that he won't take over the business if he doesn't support his plan to marry Ann.2. During the war he was in command of a company (a group of about 120 soldiers).3. When he came home from the was, he felt ashamed because it felt wrong to be alive he had survived while so many soldiers had died during the war.4. He is convinced that his brother is dead is no longer alive. Larry 1. He was reported missing on November 25.2. He was Ann's boyfriend.3. He was a pilot, but he never flew a P-40. Steve Deever 1. He is in jail.2. He used to be in business with Joe Keller.3. He was found guilty of selling cracked cylinder heads to the Air Force. Ann 1. She almost got married two years ago.2. She didn't get married because Chris started writing to her.3. She believes her father knowingly shipped out defective cylinder heads. George 1. He works as a lawyer.2. He went to Columbus, Ohio, to visit his father in jail.3. He phones Ann from Columbus.4. He is planning to take the seven o'clock train to see Ann. Who are the neighbors? Write one fact about each of them. C. The characters in this play are in conflict with each other over moral issues. Describe the main conflict between the characters below. Keller VS. Chris Mother Vs. Chris Ann Vs. Mother D. The playwright uses foreshadowing to give a hint about how the play is going to develop. 1. In what way do you think the scene between Bert and Keller foreshadows what is to come? 2. Why do you think Kate is so upset about Keller's jail games with Bert? E. At the end of Act One suspense is used to sustain our interest. We sense that George's visit is going to change things. How do you think Kate and Keller feel about George's impending visit?