John Osborne : Look Back in Anger (1956)

 

Introduction: Historical Background

John Osborne (1929–1994) emerged in post-WWII Britain, a period marked by economic hardship and class tension. His play Look Back in Anger (1956) shattered the genteel traditions of British theatre, introducing kitchen sink drama—a raw, working-class narrative.

Biography

• Born in London to a working-class family.
• Expelled from school; worked odd jobs before turning to theatre.
• Look Back in Anger catapulted him to fame, defining the "Angry Young Men" movement.

Angry Young Men

A group of British writers (1950s–60s) who critiqued social inequality and bourgeois complacency. Key figures:

• Kingsley Amis
• Alan Sillitoe
• Harold Pinter

Kitchen Sink Drama

• Focused on working-class struggles.
• Domestic settings (e.g., cramped flats, pubs).
• Gritty dialogue and emotional intensity.

Autobiographical Elements in Look Back in Anger

• Jimmy Porter’s rage mirrors Osborne’s own frustrations.
• Alison’s character inspired by Osborne’s first wife, Pamela Lane.
• Themes of class conflict and marital discord drawn from Osborne’s life.

Production History

• Premiered at London’s Royal Court Theatre (1956).
• Initially panned but later hailed as a cultural landmark.
• Adapted into a film (1959) starring Richard Burton.

Setting

A dingy attic flat in the Midlands, symbolizing claustrophobia and economic struggle.

Imagery

• Church bells – Mocking religious hypocrisy.
• Jazz trumpet – Jimmy’s rebellious spirit.

Language

• Colloquial and abrasive – Reflects working-class vernacular.
• Monologues – Jimmy’s tirades dominate the play.

The Play: Brief Outline

• Act 1: Jimmy’s relentless verbal attacks on Alison and Cliff.
• Act 2: Helena’s arrival disrupts the marriage; Alison leaves.
• Act 3: Helena and Jimmy’s affair; Alison’s return and reconciliation.

Characters

• Jimmy Porter – The angry, disillusioned protagonist.
• Alison – His upper-class, long-suffering wife.
• Cliff – The peacekeeping lodger.
• Helena – Alison’s friend who becomes Jimmy’s lover.

Critical Summary

• Act 1: Establishes Jimmy’s rage and marital tension.
• Act 2: Helena’s intervention escalates conflicts.
• Act 3: Emotional resolution with Alison’s return.

Themes

• Anger and Alienation – Jimmy’s frustration with society.
• Class Conflict – Clash between working-class and aristocracy.
• Loss of Idealism – Post-war Britain’s broken promises.
• Matrimonial Discord – Love strained by class and ego.

Character Sketches

1. Jimmy Porter – Charismatic but cruel; embodies post-war disillusionment.
2. Alison – Passive yet resilient; a victim of Jimmy’s wrath.
3. Cliff – Loyal mediator; represents decency amid chaos.
4. Helena – Strong-willed but morally conflicted.

Final Thoughts

Beckett and Osborne transformed theatre by exposing the raw nerves of human existence—Beckett through existential absurdity, Osborne through fiery social realism. Their works remain essential reading for understanding modern drama.

"Theatre is not a mirror but a hammer." – Bertolt Brecht