Relevance of Look Back In Anger In Modern Society - international ...
Relevance of Look Back In Anger In Modern Society - international ...
Relevance of Look Back In Anger In Modern Society - international ...
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<strong>In</strong>ternational <strong>In</strong>dexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0975-3486,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5482, June-2013 VOL-IV *ISSUE- 45<br />
Research Paper—English<br />
<strong>Relevance</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Look</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Anger</strong><br />
<strong>In</strong> <strong>Modern</strong> <strong>Society</strong><br />
* Kanwar Pal<br />
June ,2013<br />
* Asst. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> English, Government (P.G. )College,Gohana, Sonepat<br />
<strong>In</strong>troduction:<br />
Jimmy becomes his mouthpiece in neglecting the church,<br />
It has generally been said that there is always the Royalty, the upper class and traditional codes <strong>of</strong><br />
scope in the field <strong>of</strong> theatre for a fresh talent. <strong>In</strong> the morality. His chief complaint is<br />
1950's the scope for this newness was far greater. And "Nobody thinks, nobody cares. No beliefs, no<br />
it was at this time that John Osborne came out with his convictions and no enthusiasm."<br />
little classic <strong>Look</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Anger</strong> and established his Thus, Jimmy comes before the audience as a typical<br />
reputation for once and all. Osborne was only twenty spokesman <strong>of</strong> his own post war world. At the time when<br />
six when he composed the book and provided it to the the book was published the general mood <strong>of</strong> the public<br />
English Stage Company which had newly been established<br />
in England was one <strong>of</strong> deep frustration, cynicism,<br />
at the Royal Court Theatre. The company de-<br />
rebellousness and even despair to which there was no<br />
cided to have the book acted out. Though at that time remedy. Similar is the setting <strong>of</strong> the book. The hero<br />
the play did not establish itself as a success, Osborne gives vent to this mood through his various long dialogues.<br />
was at once recognized as a genuine talent in the field<br />
<strong>In</strong> this sense, the play had for the spectators <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> drama.<br />
that time an immediate, topical and general appeal.<br />
<strong>Look</strong> <strong>Back</strong> in <strong>Anger</strong> reflects the mood and As a typical product <strong>of</strong> his outer world, Jimmy<br />
temper <strong>of</strong> the post war England. Soon after its publication,<br />
comes before the audience as a callous and hard-hearted<br />
the central character came to be regarded as some-<br />
fellow. For instance he is devoid <strong>of</strong> emotions when he<br />
what <strong>of</strong> a folk hero for an entire young generation in comes to know that Alison, his wife is expecting a baby<br />
England. Thus, the book has <strong>of</strong>ten been regarded as an soon. Rather, he appears to be a dry type <strong>of</strong> person.<br />
expression <strong>of</strong> the mood <strong>of</strong> disillusionment and frustration<br />
Although it must be pointed out, at the same time, that<br />
<strong>of</strong> the post war youth in the nation.<br />
he loves his wife in his heart <strong>of</strong> hearts. Though the way<br />
<strong>In</strong> the play, Osborne makes an effort to project he loves her is typically his own way. He even gives<br />
the post-war young generation as it actually was in his vent to his sentiments and comes out emotionally:<br />
times. <strong>In</strong> fact, the dramatist presents all the distinctiveness<br />
"There is hardly a moment when I am not watching<br />
<strong>of</strong> that generation through Jimmy Porter, the cen-<br />
and wanting you."<br />
tral character <strong>of</strong> the play. Osborne marks through Jimmy All that he speaks at this particular moment proves<br />
all the traits <strong>of</strong> post war youth like drift towards anarchy,<br />
the tenderness and humanitarian aspect <strong>of</strong> the character<br />
the instinctive leftishness,the automatic rejection <strong>of</strong> Jimmy.Though Jimmy has been equally savage to<br />
<strong>of</strong> formal attitudes, the surrealist sense <strong>of</strong> humour, the Helena, it can not be taken for granted that he is all the<br />
casual promiscuity, and above all these the sense <strong>of</strong> same a savage. As Helena complains "I have never<br />
lacking a noble cause worth fighting for and underlying<br />
such hatred in someone eyes..." Jimmy feels elated<br />
all these the determination that none who passes over Helena's remark. <strong>In</strong> fact, at the surface level Jimmy<br />
away shall remain unmourned. Osborne has represented seems to have pleasure to "wound"anyone. But then<br />
Jimmy in such a way that he is always devoid <strong>of</strong> something<br />
there are certain observations made by him regarding<br />
to make a rational but bitter complaint. Jimmy dreariness <strong>of</strong> life which the spectator must find remedy<br />
represents not only an educated young person out <strong>of</strong> to. Jimmy's opinion that suffering and pain are essential<br />
a certain class but from an entire generation. part <strong>of</strong> the process <strong>of</strong> individual goodness and his<br />
The play has an autobiographical element earlier expectations that Alison should suffer by losing<br />
too. <strong>In</strong>fact, Jimmy seems to be a shadow <strong>of</strong> the playwright<br />
a baby in order to become a better or purified human<br />
himself.He demonstrates the same type <strong>of</strong> tem-<br />
being exhibits only another aspect <strong>of</strong> his<br />
perament as Osborne had. The playwright makes him sado-masochism. His opinions about women are<br />
to share the similar socio-economic background which undoubtedly, unrealistic.Thus, the loyalty and<br />
Osborne himself did. Jimmy has the similar sense <strong>of</strong> devotion he is expecting from his own wife are not only<br />
disenchantment with contemporary English society impossible but also at the same time unnecessary and<br />
and empire as Osborne personally experienced. <strong>In</strong>fact, critical. <strong>In</strong> his conversation <strong>of</strong> Jimmy's oral<br />
RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION 20
<strong>In</strong>ternational <strong>In</strong>dexed & Refereed Research Journal, ISSN 0975-3486,(Print)E-ISSN-2320-5482, June-2013 VOL-IV *ISSUE- 45<br />
fixation Faber rightly makes a point,<br />
"The whole business <strong>of</strong> Jimmy's attachments to<br />
older women, to mother surrogates as well as his tendency<br />
to transform his younger mistresses into<br />
mother." 1<br />
About Jimmy's wish that Alison should lose her<br />
baby, the critic relates even further "that Alison the<br />
childless mother would then become his mother."<br />
Jimmy is also fitted to reverse snobbery in his<br />
observation <strong>of</strong> class consciousness. His sense <strong>of</strong> hatred<br />
toward everything which is genteel may sound at least<br />
progressive ideologically. But it is firmly rooted in his<br />
own past. Denied the hope <strong>of</strong> a promising pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
even after his academic orientations at university level<br />
and superb intellectual gifts , he begins to realize it is<br />
only due to his weak background that he has been<br />
prevented from making concrete use <strong>of</strong> his educational<br />
qualifications.Thus, he indignantly opens Alison's<br />
drawer and reads her letters because he thinks that<br />
respecting other people's privacy is only an upper<br />
class eyewash.<br />
He shows a temperament which always tends<br />
to indulge him in social criticism.He goes on to criticize<br />
the newspapers, even religion and religious<br />
practices.<strong>In</strong>fact Jimmy is so bored with the dull and<br />
dreary routine <strong>of</strong> life that he begins to feel frustrated<br />
and even defeated internally.And this was not only<br />
his condition,it was the fate <strong>of</strong> whole generation he<br />
represents. Taking into consideration the fact that Jimmy<br />
is fed up <strong>of</strong> life<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>fery Carnell rightly observes:<br />
"<strong>Look</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Anger</strong> does make a virtue <strong>of</strong><br />
willingness to be defeated and broken up." 2 This is<br />
actually the inside out <strong>of</strong> Jimmy's charactristics<br />
as an angel <strong>of</strong> post war world.<br />
One point that Jimmy is the representation <strong>of</strong> his<br />
age is now fully established and justified. At times, he<br />
even far exceeds his generation. Any way, the play<br />
tends to become a one man play.Due to boundless<br />
boredom on part <strong>of</strong> Jimmy,the book is sometimes deemed<br />
to be a dark comedy. As a whole, Jimmy becomes a<br />
unique figure who surpasses both his post war<br />
generation and delineator. The play fits all the norms <strong>of</strong><br />
a kitchen sink drama.<br />
Conclusion: But this is not the whole <strong>of</strong> the<br />
book. The play also opens some certain moral insights.<br />
For example, there is always a prime need <strong>of</strong> every<br />
individual for some kind <strong>of</strong> companionship with<br />
someone, a sort <strong>of</strong> tenderness with someone, a kind <strong>of</strong><br />
fellow feeling or emotional attachment.<br />
Man is a social animal. No one can live all alone in one's<br />
life. <strong>In</strong> fact it is for such moral insights and values that<br />
the central character is looking. These moral values are<br />
endless and universal. <strong>In</strong>fact these virtues have a permanent<br />
universal and humanitarian value for one and<br />
all. Thus, the play is still relevant in modern society.<br />
R E F E R E N C E<br />
1. Faber, M.D. "The Character <strong>of</strong> Jimmy Porter: An Approach to <strong>Look</strong> <strong>Back</strong> in <strong>Anger</strong> <strong>Modern</strong> Drama (May,1970).<br />
2. Carnell, Ge<strong>of</strong>fery Saints and Human Beings: Orwell,Osborne and Gandhi in <strong>Look</strong> <strong>Back</strong> in <strong>Anger</strong>: A Casebook,ed.John<br />
Russell Taylor ( Macmillan 1968),p.129.<br />
21 RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION