9.2 John Osborne and "Look Back in Anger"

John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" shook up British theatre in the 1950s. The play gave voice to young, angry, working-class men who felt left behind in post-war Britain. It sparked a movement and changed how playwrights tackled social issues.

Osborne's raw, realistic style was a far cry from polite drawing-room dramas. He put working-class characters center stage, talking openly about sex, politics, and class struggles. This bold approach influenced a whole new generation of British playwrights.

John Osborne and the Angry Young Men

Osborne's Early Life and Career

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Top images from around the web for Osborne's Early Life and Career

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  4. Look Back in Anger (1959) – aenigma View original

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  Book Review: Look Back in Anger by John Osborne – Write Out Loud View original

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  4. Look Back in Anger (1959) – aenigma View original

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• John Osborne (1929-1994) was an English playwright, screenwriter, and actor known for his rebellious and controversial works that challenged the social and political norms of post-war Britain
• Osborne's early life was marked by a difficult relationship with his parents and a series of expulsions from schools, which shaped his anti-establishment views and writing style
• Osborne's breakthrough play, "Look Back in Anger" (1956), established him as a leading voice of the Angry Young Men movement
• Throughout his career, Osborne continued to challenge societal norms and expectations, often creating controversial and polarizing works that sparked debates about class, politics, and morality (The Entertainer in 1957, Luther in 1961)

The Angry Young Men Movement

• The Angry Young Men movement was a group of writers who expressed disillusionment with traditional British society and values in the post-war era
• The movement included writers such as Kingsley Amis and Alan Sillitoe
• Characteristics of the Angry Young Men movement:
  • Rejection of the class system
  • Critique of the welfare state
  • Focus on working-class protagonists
  • Expressed frustration and anger at the limitations and inequalities of British society
• Osborne's plays were central to the development and popularity of the Angry Young Men movement, as they embodied the rebellious spirit and social critique of the group

"Look Back in Anger": Plot, Characters, and Themes

Plot and Setting

• "Look Back in Anger" is a three-act play set in a one-room attic flat in the English Midlands during the 1950s
• The play focuses on the tumultuous relationship between Jimmy Porter and his wife Alison
• The action of the play is largely confined to the single setting, emphasizing the claustrophobic and intense nature of the characters' interactions

Characters and their Relationships

• Jimmy Porter: The protagonist, a working-class man and university graduate who feels alienated and angry at society, lashing out at those closest to him
• Alison Porter: Jimmy's upper-middle-class wife who struggles to cope with his volatile behavior and the tension between her upbringing and current situation
• Cliff Lewis: Jimmy's friend and roommate who acts as a mediator between Jimmy and Alison, trying to defuse conflicts and maintain stability
• Helena Charles: Alison's actress friend who visits the couple, becomes entangled in their relationship, and confronts Jimmy, leading to a temporary separation between him and Alison
• The relationships between the characters are marked by tension, conflict, and a struggle for understanding and connection

Themes Explored

• Class conflict and the disillusionment of post-war youth
• The breakdown of traditional gender roles and expectations
• The struggle for authentic communication and connection in relationships
• Osborne uses the characters' interactions and dialogue to critique the social and political structures of 1950s Britain, highlighting the frustrations and limitations experienced by the working class

"Look Back in Anger" in Post-War Britain

Impact on British Theatre

• "Look Back in Anger" marked a significant shift in British theatre, moving away from genteel drawing-room dramas towards a more raw, realistic, and confrontational style
• The play challenged theatrical conventions through its use of working-class characters, frank discussions of sex, politics, and social inequality
• The success of the play helped launch the careers of a new generation of actors (Richard Burton, Alan Bates) who embodied the rebellious spirit of the Angry Young Men
• Osborne's work influenced subsequent generations of British playwrights (Harold Pinter, Edward Bond) who continued to explore themes of class, power, and identity

Reflection of Post-War British Society

• "Look Back in Anger" gave voice to the disillusioned and frustrated post-war generation, reflecting the social and economic changes occurring in 1950s Britain
• The play sparked discussions about the changing nature of British society and the need for greater social and political reform
• The impact of "Look Back in Anger" extended beyond theatre, representing a pivotal moment in the development of modern drama and the articulation of a new, more critical perspective on contemporary life
• The play remains a landmark in British cultural history, encapsulating the zeitgeist of the post-war era and the growing desire for change and progress