Miller criticizes that American society has become corrupt -a place of selfishness, where people care too much about themselves, and that which benefits them, and will go to any lengths to achieve that goal; even if the repercussions of their actions will bring harm to other people. He stresses that money seems to be the key factor that drives society to this level of corruption.
Miller emphasizes this point in several ways. The first example is that Sue would rather have Jim make an obscene amount of money in his profession as a doctor and not conduct medical research- which his real ambition. The second example is Jim's abdication of his pursuit of medical research due to the lack of earnings involved. The third example is that Keller knowingly ships out cracked cylinder heads, that will crash an airplane if used, to prevent his business from going bankrupt, claiming that he did it for his family.
Apparently Sue values wealth over allowing an individual to pursue his dreams of conducting medical research” Research pays twenty-five dollars a week minus laundering the hair shirt. You've got to give up your life to go into it." Sue is willing to deny Jim his real desire, in order to make more profit.Miller stresses that society has become so corrupt, that people would rather do something they do not enjoy doing, just for the money involved. Due to greediness, money has made people give up their dreams and goals in search of more financial gain. Jim really wants to research medicine, but he remains a doctor only for the profit involved . Sue's greediness seems to have influenced him, and he gives up research for more money. "I would love to help humanity on a Warner Brothers salary." By saying this, Jim shows that profit means more to him than pursuing his dreams and "helping humanity."
In his play "All My Sons," Miller makes it apparent that society in general values money and profit more than human life. He shows this by his portrayal of Keller. Keller ships out cracked cylinder heads, aware that in flight they will cause planes to crash, to save his business from being shut down. Furthermore, he goes on to allow the blame to fall on Steve, in order to save himself from going to jail, even though Steve was not the only one guilty. Keller tries to rationalize his actions by saying that he committed this heinous act for the benefit of his family- so that they will have money and everything else they need and can live happily. "Chris... Chris I did it for you. It was a chance and I took it for you." This portrays the human characteristic of creating a false sense of innocence in spite of ones guilty actions- and conscience.
Joe Keller declares when his son questions his innocence:
“Who worked for nothing in the war? When they work for nothing; I will work for nothing.” This brings into focus that Arthur Miller focuses on the central problem that eats away the American democracy: Material greed. These capitalists along with Joe , in their strive for material ‘success’ sacrificed their honor.
Joe Keller said “ …it’s good money Chris, there is nothing wrong with that money.” With these words, Keller tries to defend the money he made out of the war and the death of innocent people. These incidents clearly illustrate the theme of reality vs. illusion. Although Keller truly believes that he has done everything for his family, he has sacrificed his moral responsibility towards his “universal family”. He believes he has achieved his dream, and succeeded in living the “American Dream”. However, he has directly responsible for not only the death of the twenty one pilots, but his son- Larry who suicides when he heard the news of his father being responsible for the pilots was spread. This is something that he has to face at the end of the novel and leads him to suicide.
Miller makes it clear that money, dishonesty, and selfishness take precedence over friendship and human life in our corrupt society. The selfishness that influences one man’s relationship to another has destroyed the truth and honesty that used to preside over American society. He suggests that all these factors put together are quickly destroying the basic human values of goodwill and honesty. Some say, that the “American Dream” has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have sacrificed their principles. Others say that the “who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival.. After Miller’s close examination of the “Dream”, it is up to reader to decide whether the American Dream is reality that changes your life, or an illusion of a failed fantasy.
