Look Back in Anger
Drama
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John Osborne
Look Back in Anger Main Text
ACT I
The Porters' one-room flat in a large Midland town.
Early evening. April.
The scene is a fairly large attic room, at the top of a large Victorian house. The ceiling slopes down quite sharply from L. to
R. Down R. are two small low windows. In front of these is a dark oak dressing table. Most of the furniture is simple,
and rather old. Up R. is a double bed, running the length of most of the...
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Look Back in Anger Summary
Background: John Osborne wrote the play Look Back in Anger in 1956. He completed it in only seventeen days. The story was inspired by his own unhappy marriage to Pamela Lane and their life in a small, cramped room in Derby, England. At that time, Britain’s social and political system was very class-conscious. The upper and middle classes had more power and respect, while working-class people often...
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Look Back in Anger Key Facts
Key Facts
Full Title: Look Back in Anger
Original Title: Look Back in Anger (no alternate title)
Author: John Osborne (1929–1994)
Title of the Author: Leading figure of the “Angry Young Men” movement
Prize: Evening Standard Drama Award for Most Promising Playwright (1956)
Source: Inspired by Osborne’s own failed marriage, personal frustrations, and post-war British class tensions;...
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Look Back in Anger Characters
Characters
Jimmy Porter: The main protagonist of the play. An intelligent but disillusioned working-class man in his twenties. He is articulate, passionate, and often cruel in speech. His long monologues reveal anger at class privilege, hypocrisy, and the emptiness of modern life. Despite his harshness, he has moments of tenderness, especially in the “bear and squirrel” game with Alison.
Alis...
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Look Back in Anger Themes
Themes
Class Struggle: This is one of the main ideas in the play. Jimmy Porter belongs to a poor, working-class family. His wife Alison is from a rich, upper-middle-class family. Their marriage often becomes a fight between these two worlds. Jimmy feels left out by Alison’s rich family and friends. He hates that poor people face all the problems while rich people live in comfort. Jimmy is educ...
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Look Back in Anger Literary Devices
"Look Back in Anger" (1956) is a famous play by John Osborne. We can find various literary devices that contribute to its dramatic impact and exploration of complex themes. Here are some key literary devices used in the play.
Symbols
The play uses various symbols to convey its themes.
Bear and Squirrel Game
In the play, Jimmy and Alison play with a toy bear and squirrel. Jimmy is associated with t...
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Look Back in Anger Quotes
Quotes
Jimmy Porter – Act I
“Let’s pretend that we’re human beings, and that we’re actually alive.”
Explanation: Sarcasm aimed at the lifelessness he feels around him. Shows Jimmy’s frustration with the dullness of middle-class life.
Jimmy Porter – Act III
“We’ll be together in our bear’s cave, or our squirrel’s drey.”
Explanation: Their “Bear and Squirrel” game symbolizes an escape f...
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Notes
Explore 7 detailed notes related to Look Back in Anger. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.