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Look Back in Anger: A Revolutionary Examination of Post-War Britain

Leslie Carter

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John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" burst onto the London stage in 1956, creating an electrifying sensation that reverberated throughout the world. A groundbreaking play, it captured the disillusionment and anger of a generation that had endured the horrors of World War II and the disillusionment of its aftermath. Osborne's masterpiece remains a searing indictment of post-war society and continues to resonate with audiences today.

The Play and Its Setting

"Look Back in Anger" takes place in a cramped apartment in the Midlands of England. The protagonist, Jimmy Porter, is a young, bitter, and disillusioned university graduate who feels trapped in a stifling and meaningless existence. His wife, Alison, is a sensitive and intelligent woman who is deeply unhappy in her marriage. The couple's relationship is further strained by the presence of Helena Charles, Alison's wealthy and bohemian friend who represents a world that Jimmy despises.

Look Back in Anger

by John Osborne

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	375 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	116 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Characters

Jimmy Porter: Jimmy is the central figure in the play. He is a deeply flawed and complex character, torn between his idealism and his nihilism. Jimmy's anger is a reflection of his frustration with the world around him and his inability to connect with others. He is a symbol of the "Angry Young Men," a generation of post-war Britons who felt that their dreams had been betrayed.

Alison Porter: Alison is Jimmy's wife. She is a gentle and intelligent woman, but her marriage to Jimmy has left her emotionally and physically exhausted. Alison longs for a life beyond the confines of their apartment, but her attempts to escape are met with resistance from Jimmy.

Helena Charles: Helena is Alison's wealthy and bohemian friend. She represents the world that Jimmy despises, but she is also drawn to his raw energy and honesty. Helena's presence in the play creates a love triangle that further complicates the relationships between the characters.

Cliff Lewis: Cliff is Jimmy's best friend and fellow university graduate. He is a more pragmatic and less idealistic than Jimmy, but he shares Jimmy's sense of disillusionment. Cliff represents the working class, and his relationship with Jimmy is a reminder of the class tensions that divide British society.

Themes

"Look Back in Anger" explores a wide range of themes, including:

Disillusionment: The play is a powerful indictment of post-war society. Jimmy and his friends are deeply disillusioned with the world they have inherited. They feel that they have been betrayed by the promises of a better future, and they are left with a sense of emptiness and despair.
Class conflict: Jimmy's anger is fueled by his resentment of the upper classes. He sees Helena Charles as a symbol of the wealthy and privileged elite who have no understanding of the struggles of the working class. Jimmy's class consciousness is a reflection of the deep class divisions that existed in British society in the 1950s.
Isolation: The characters in "Look Back in Anger" are all isolated from each other. Jimmy is isolated from the world around him by his anger and his inability to connect with others. Alison is isolated from Jimmy by her unhappiness and her desire for a different life. Helena is isolated from both Jimmy and Alison by her wealth and her social status.
Gender roles: The play challenges traditional gender roles. Jimmy is a complex and contradictory character who defies easy categorization. He is both masculine and feminine, and his anger is both destructive and creative. Alison is a strong and independent woman who refuses to be defined by her relationship with Jimmy.

Impact and Legacy

"Look Back in Anger" had a profound impact on British theatre and society. The play's realistic dialogue, its exploration of taboo subjects, and its angry and disillusioned characters made it a groundbreaking work. The play was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch the careers of John Osborne and several other "Angry Young Men." "Look Back in Anger" is still performed regularly today, and it continues to be a powerful and relevant work of art.

"Look Back in Anger" is a seminal work of British theatre that continues to resonate with audiences today. The play's exploration of disillusionment, class conflict, isolation, and gender roles makes it a timeless masterpiece. John Osborne's powerful and poetic language has created characters that are both unforgettable and profoundly human.

Look Back in Anger

by John Osborne

4.3 out of 5