Miller, Arthur: 1915-2005
All My Sons, 1947 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Medium
- Vocabulary – Most of the words are everyday English, but there are some older or slightly formal terms from the 1940s (e.g. going to jail = with strong social shame attached; You have no right = accusatory phrase for You can’t…).
Sentence Structure – The dialogue is mostly straightforward, but Miller sometimes uses longer sentences or emotional monologues that require careful reading.
Idioms and Cultural References – There are idioms, expressions, and references specific to 1940s America that can be tricky for learners (e.g. “You lay forty years into a business and they knock you out in five minutes” = investing your life’s work).
- Vocabulary – Most of the words are everyday English, but there are some older or slightly formal terms from the 1940s (e.g. going to jail = with strong social shame attached; You have no right = accusatory phrase for You can’t…).
- The language is mostly clear and conversational, though there are occasional complex sentences and period-specific expressions that might challenge some readers.