look-back-in-anger-analysis
Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
About the Author and the Play
John Osborne was an English playwright, actor, and director.
The play "Look Back in Anger" was published in the year 1956.
It is a 3-Act play.
The play is an example of the Angry Young Man Movement, which was
a reaction against the British class system and elites.
It is also an example of the Kitchen Sink Drama, which represents
domestic life.
Setting and Characters
The setting of the play is a one-room apartment in a small town in
England.
The main characters are:
Jimmy Porter (the husband)
Alison Porter (the wife)
Cliff Lewis (a friend)
Colonel Redfern (Alison's father)
Hugh (another friend)
Helena Charles (Alison's best friend)
Summary
Act I
Jimmy and Cliff are reading newspapers while Alison is ironing in the
corner of the room.
Jimmy provokes Cliff and Alison, making fun of their backgrounds.
Alison and Jimmy argue, while Cliff attempts to keep the peace between
them.
Jimmy and Cliff get into a play fight, which pushes Alison down.
Alison receives a call from Helena Charles, and Jimmy dislikes Helena
and curses Alison.
Helena arrives after two weeks.
Jimmy's past is revealed, where he had affections with Hugh's mother
and then left her.
Jimmy asks Alison to choose who she is going with, and Alison leaves
with Helena to church.
Jimmy curses Alison to lose her baby, not knowing that she is pregnant.
Jimmy's past is further revealed, where his father got injured in the
Spanish Civil War and died after coming to England.
Helena calls Alison's father, Colonel Redfern, to pick her up.
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