Relevance of Look Back In Anger In Modern Society - international ...

International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0975-3486,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5482, June-2013 VOL-IV *ISSUE- 45
Research Paper—English
Relevance of Look Back In Anger
In Modern Society
* Kanwar Pal
June ,2013
* Asst. Professor of English, Government (P.G. )College,Gohana, Sonepat
Introduction:
Jimmy becomes his mouthpiece in neglecting the church,
It has generally been said that there is always the Royalty, the upper class and traditional codes of
scope in the field of theatre for a fresh talent. In the morality. His chief complaint is
1950's the scope for this newness was far greater. And "Nobody thinks, nobody cares. No beliefs, no
it was at this time that John Osborne came out with his convictions and no enthusiasm."
little classic Look Back In Anger and established his Thus, Jimmy comes before the audience as a typical
reputation for once and all. Osborne was only twenty spokesman of his own post war world. At the time when
six when he composed the book and provided it to the the book was published the general mood of the public
English Stage Company which had newly been established
in England was one of deep frustration, cynicism,
at the Royal Court Theatre. The company de-
rebellousness and even despair to which there was no
cided to have the book acted out. Though at that time remedy. Similar is the setting of the book. The hero
the play did not establish itself as a success, Osborne gives vent to this mood through his various long dialogues.
was at once recognized as a genuine talent in the field
In this sense, the play had for the spectators of
of drama.
that time an immediate, topical and general appeal.
Look Back in Anger reflects the mood and As a typical product of his outer world, Jimmy
temper of the post war England. Soon after its publication,
comes before the audience as a callous and hard-hearted
the central character came to be regarded as some-
fellow. For instance he is devoid of emotions when he
what of a folk hero for an entire young generation in comes to know that Alison, his wife is expecting a baby
England. Thus, the book has often been regarded as an soon. Rather, he appears to be a dry type of person.
expression of the mood of disillusionment and frustration
Although it must be pointed out, at the same time, that
of the post war youth in the nation.
he loves his wife in his heart of hearts. Though the way
In the play, Osborne makes an effort to project he loves her is typically his own way. He even gives
the post-war young generation as it actually was in his vent to his sentiments and comes out emotionally:
times. In fact, the dramatist presents all the distinctiveness
"There is hardly a moment when I am not watching
of that generation through Jimmy Porter, the cen-
and wanting you."
tral character of the play. Osborne marks through Jimmy All that he speaks at this particular moment proves
all the traits of post war youth like drift towards anarchy,
the tenderness and humanitarian aspect of the character
the instinctive leftishness,the automatic rejection of Jimmy.Though Jimmy has been equally savage to
of formal attitudes, the surrealist sense of humour, the Helena, it can not be taken for granted that he is all the
casual promiscuity, and above all these the sense of same a savage. As Helena complains "I have never
lacking a noble cause worth fighting for and underlying
such hatred in someone eyes..." Jimmy feels elated
all these the determination that none who passes over Helena's remark. In fact, at the surface level Jimmy
away shall remain unmourned. Osborne has represented seems to have pleasure to "wound"anyone. But then
Jimmy in such a way that he is always devoid of something
there are certain observations made by him regarding
to make a rational but bitter complaint. Jimmy dreariness of life which the spectator must find remedy
represents not only an educated young person out of to. Jimmy's opinion that suffering and pain are essential
a certain class but from an entire generation. part of the process of individual goodness and his
The play has an autobiographical element earlier expectations that Alison should suffer by losing
too. Infact, Jimmy seems to be a shadow of the playwright
a baby in order to become a better or purified human
himself.He demonstrates the same type of tem-
being exhibits only another aspect of his
perament as Osborne had. The playwright makes him sado-masochism. His opinions about women are
to share the similar socio-economic background which undoubtedly, unrealistic.Thus, the loyalty and
Osborne himself did. Jimmy has the similar sense of devotion he is expecting from his own wife are not only
disenchantment with contemporary English society impossible but also at the same time unnecessary and
and empire as Osborne personally experienced. Infact, critical. In his conversation of Jimmy's oral
RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION 20

International Indexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0975-3486,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5482, June-2013 VOL-IV *ISSUE- 45
fixation Faber rightly makes a point,
"The whole business of Jimmy's attachments to
older women, to mother surrogates as well as his tendency
to transform his younger mistresses into
mother." 1
About Jimmy's wish that Alison should lose her
baby, the critic relates even further "that Alison the
childless mother would then become his mother."
Jimmy is also fitted to reverse snobbery in his
observation of class consciousness. His sense of hatred
toward everything which is genteel may sound at least
progressive ideologically. But it is firmly rooted in his
own past. Denied the hope of a promising profession
even after his academic orientations at university level
and superb intellectual gifts , he begins to realize it is
only due to his weak background that he has been
prevented from making concrete use of his educational
qualifications.Thus, he indignantly opens Alison's
drawer and reads her letters because he thinks that
respecting other people's privacy is only an upper
class eyewash.
He shows a temperament which always tends
to indulge him in social criticism.He goes on to criticize
the newspapers, even religion and religious
practices.Infact Jimmy is so bored with the dull and
dreary routine of life that he begins to feel frustrated
and even defeated internally.And this was not only
his condition,it was the fate of whole generation he
represents. Taking into consideration the fact that Jimmy
is fed up of life
Geoffery Carnell rightly observes:
"Look Back In Anger does make a virtue of
willingness to be defeated and broken up." 2 This is
actually the inside out of Jimmy's charactristics
as an angel of post war world.
One point that Jimmy is the representation of his
age is now fully established and justified. At times, he
even far exceeds his generation. Any way, the play
tends to become a one man play.Due to boundless
boredom on part of Jimmy,the book is sometimes deemed
to be a dark comedy. As a whole, Jimmy becomes a
unique figure who surpasses both his post war
generation and delineator. The play fits all the norms of
a kitchen sink drama.
Conclusion: But this is not the whole of the
book. The play also opens some certain moral insights.
For example, there is always a prime need of every
individual for some kind of companionship with
someone, a sort of tenderness with someone, a kind of
fellow feeling or emotional attachment.
Man is a social animal. No one can live all alone in one's
life. In fact it is for such moral insights and values that
the central character is looking. These moral values are
endless and universal. Infact these virtues have a permanent
universal and humanitarian value for one and
all. Thus, the play is still relevant in modern society.
R E F E R E N C E
1. Faber, M.D. "The Character of Jimmy Porter: An Approach to Look Back in Anger Modern Drama (May,1970).
2. Carnell, Geoffery Saints and Human Beings: Orwell,Osborne and Gandhi in Look Back in Anger: A Casebook,ed.John
Russell Taylor ( Macmillan 1968),p.129.
21 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION