Look Back in Anger By John Osborne

The play 'Look Back in Anger' was written in 1956 by John Osborne, a twentieth century playwright. The plot stated in the theme of angry young man of the fast growing modern world, it is an autobiography of Osborne who mourn for his unhappy married life and materialism of the modern society. It is one of the major important play in the modern British theater. Kitchen Sink Drama is the term used to describe the British culture during 1950 s, the protagonist of the novel usually described as angry young man, Look Back in Anger play is consider as the precursor of this genre. 

Overview:

Author: John Osborne

Century: 20th century

Theme: The Angry young man

Characters: Jimmy Porter, Alison Porter, Cliff Lewis, Helena Charles

ACT I

This act starts in the early evening of the month April, Jimmy is 25 years old young man from working class, he is restless, sincere and a combination of sensitive and pride but Cliff is very opposite to his friend Jimmy, Alison is the wife of Jimmy, from upper class society, it reflects some conflicts between the husband and wife, they all live together in a small house. Jimmy used to belittle his wife to his friend often, it creates a gap between the couples. Meanwhile Alison becomes pregnant, she inform this to Cliff but not to her husband and Cliff urges Alison to inform about her pregnancy to Jimmy but she refuse and informed that her friend Helena is coming to stay along with them for her personal work. 

ACT II

After Helena settle down in their house, Alison explained her marriage life and the oppositions she faced to marry him. After listening to the story of Alison's depression, Helena says that Jimmy doesn't have any idea about what love means.When Jimmy comes to know about her wife's pregnancy he kissed her belly passionately and calls her wife as beautiful squirrel and Alison call him as marvelous bear. In between Helena informs Alison's father about their unhappy life and the saying 'All that I want is a little peace' of Alison. Colonal, the father of Alison came to take his daughter to their home, Alison leaves the home in the absence of Jimmy but Helena still stays in the home.

ACT III

After few months, Alison's belongings are replaced by Helena and she started to like Jimmy's jokes and smoking pipe. Cliff leaves the house after understanding the relationship between the two. One day Alison returned to visit Jimmy's house and she realize the injustice happened to her by both of them. But Helena agrees her fault and decides to leave Jimmy's house. 

Now the couple, Jimmy and Alison lost their baby is the divine judgement for all the misbehaves done by everyone. Helena knows that she can't love anyone else in her life again and became saint. The play ends on a note of forgiveness, reunion and reconciliation. 


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