Preparing for the A-level English Language and Literature exam

All My Sons by Arthur Miller

In the examination, you will be given an extract to use as a starting point for your
response.
You are expected to analyse this passage closely and refer more generally to the text as
a whole.

The question will be in the following format:

Using this extract as a starting point, and with reference to other parts of the play,
discuss how Miller …

In your answer, you must consider Miller’s use of linguistic and literary features and
relevant contextual factors.

There is no choice of question. The topic of the question will include some focus on
context (e.g. attitudes towards life in post-war America).

Assessment objectives

AO1 Apply concepts and methods from integrated linguistic and literary study as
appropriate, using associated terminology and coherent written expression

AO2 Analyse ways in which meanings are shaped in texts

AO3 Demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in

which texts are produced and received

How to prepare

1. Reread the text and your notes carefully using the questions below to check your
knowledge.

2. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the play’s themes and can identify
relevant sections of the play to illustrate them.

3. Learn some quotations that you think are particularly useful in revealing a
character’s nature or in developing a theme.

4. Make sure you understand how a range of contexts apply to the text.

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 Preparing for the A-level English Language and Literature exam
All My Sons by Arthur Miller

Areas for revision

For each character you should be able to identify:

 main events they are involved in

 characteristics
 typical behaviour
 the subtext of what they say and do
 how the character’s attitude and actions reflect the main themes of the play
 purpose and significance in the play as a whole
 relationships with others
 the ways in which characters can be grouped together or seen as opposite or contrasting
figures
 typical use of language and what this shows
 changes in any of the above as the play progresses.

When considering language you should be able to:

 identify patterns of imagery

 provide close analysis of key speeches
 identify words and phrases repeated frequently throughout the play, attribute them to
the characters who use them and comment on their significance
 show awareness of how the playwright emulates real speech in the play’s dialogue.

You must have a detailed knowledge of the play’s plot, including:

 the major events of each act in the correct order

 the contribution made by each character to the events of the play and to the
development of the plot.

You need to be able to identify features of the play’s structure, such as:

 the use of cliffhangers

 the use of motifs and symbols throughout the play
 the parallels and connections between different characters
 pivotal moments (turning points) in the play
 contrasts between characters/speeches/beginning and ending
 how themes are developed.

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 Preparing for the A-level English Language and Literature exam
All My Sons by Arthur Miller

Themes

Deception: What secrets are revealed in the course of the play? What is the effect
of these revelations? Which characters are most deceptive?

Manipulation: How do characters manipulate others? Who is most manipulative?

Perception: Which characters are aware of what is going on around them? Who
lacks awareness?

Society: What do we learn about the values of society? What changes does Miller
suggest are necessary?

Gender: What roles are assigned to men and women? How are these challenged
in the course of the play? To what extent are characters playing a role
assigned by society? Can the plays be seen as having a feminist
message?

Money: How do financial concerns influence the plot? Which characters are
dependent on others because of financial obligations or considerations?

Power: Place the characters of the play in a hierarchy. What factors determine
how much power a character has?

Useful terminology

You should be able to use some of the following terms appropriately in your discussion of
the text, as well as grammatical and linguistic terms.

Rhetoric: metaphor, simile, hyperbole, understatement/litotes, antithesis, building

to a climax, rhetorical question, repetition, onomatopoeia, alliteration,
listing, pun, use of emotive language

Spoken pauses, non-fluency features (hesitations, false starts, fillers, self-

language: correction, repetition, unfinished sentences), overlaps and interruptions,
conversation management and dominance (agenda) and adjacency pairs

Dramatic tragedy, plot, monologue, dialogue, dramatic irony, pathos, climax,

terms: denouement, tension, setting, dramatic devices, characterisation, major
and minor characters, motivation, subtext.

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 Preparing for the A-level English Language and Literature exam
All My Sons by Arthur Miller

Possible areas for exam questions

1. How relationships are affected by past events.

2. Family values that are in conflict with society’s expectations.

3. Changes in family roles.

4. Different attitudes to gender roles.

5. The conflict between appearance and reality.

6. The impact created by the loss or departure of a loved one.

7. The restrictive effect that the family can have on individuals.

8. Family relationships affected by guilt.

9. Family relationships affected by the consequences of communication breakdown.

10. Presentation of moments of dramatic crisis in relationships.

11. Presentation of tensions invading ordinary life.

12. The idea that men are just as much a victim of their social roles as women.

13. Presentation of relationships which are full of underlying motives.

14. The capacity of characters to manipulate and deceive others.

15. Social differences between characters.

16. The idea that the play is primarily a criticism of society.

17. The significance of money.

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