Look Back in Anger by John Osborne

Jimmy as mouthpiece for Osborne

The blurb of the French edition describes Osborne as a writer prepared to depict
uncomfortable truths as he saw them and unprepared to offer a panacea.
What would those truths be? In his foreword, Osborne admits to there being
commercials [ideas he wants to sell/messages to get across] in the play, even some
unwitting ones, but says we have to work out the social, moral and political
implications ourselves.
How does Jimmy make us (by making the characters in the play) face truths wed
rather not notice? Are the truths Osbornes original audiences would have confronted
different to what we find in the play? If so, why?
In the foreword Osborne says, Jimmy Porter is not simply a young man who is upset
because the world is not giving him the things he wants most. He is a young man who
is anxious to give a great deal, and is hurt because no one seems interested enough to
take it Earlier, he talks of wanting the audiences emotional responsiveness. Do
you agree with his description of Jimmy and to what extent does Jimmys attack on
the characters and institutions [e.g. church] in the play represent Osbornes attempts
to make his audience respond emotionally?
In Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton suggests that, By standing witness to hidden lives,
novels may act as imaginative counterweights to dominant conceptions of hierarchy
[p141]. By implication, plays may do the same things and Osborne suggests as much
by his comments on the housing shortage in his foreword. How might the characters
represent lives hidden from 1950s audiences? Why does Osborne want those lives to
be noticed?
This play, claims Osborne in his foreword, is not about Jimmy Porter. It is about two
people who are in love, and are surrounded by a set of circumstances which, I believe,
cannot be ignored. How far do you think the play has succeeded in making us realise
that? Is Jimmys character assassination of Alison an effective vehicle for this and
why?

Act 1
When youve read the whole act, comment on the following:
[Jimmy]:

(He looks up sharply for a response, but there isnt any) (p. 11)

A few more hours, and another week gone. Our youth is slipping away.

Nobody can be bothered how I long for a little ordinary human enthusiasm
Hallelujah! Im alive! Ive an idea. (p. 12)

Look Back in Anger copyright John Osborne

www.teachit.co.uk 2007

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Look Back in Anger by John Osborne

Nobody thinks, nobody cares. No beliefs, no convictions, and no enthusiasm.

(p. 13)

If youve no world of your own, its rather pleasant to regret the passing of
someone elses. (p. 14)

Nothing I do would provoke her. Not even if I were to drop dead. (p. 15)

The only way to keep things much like they always have been as possible, is to
make any alternative too much for your poor, tiny brain to grasp. (p. 16)

Stop ringing those bells! Theres somebody going crazy in here! (p. 20)

[Alison]: I cant think what it was to feel young, really young. (p. 22)

Its those easy things that seem to be so impossible with us. (p. 22)

Everything just seems alright suddenly. (p. 28)

Act 2 Scene1
Having seen the problem in Act 1, we now get the backstory or generating
circumstance, discovering more about the characters and how they came to be in
this situation. In each case, jot down what is revealed about

why Jimmy and Alison got married

why things started to go wrong between Jimmy and Alison

Jimmys revenge for not having access to Alisons money

why Jimmy got to be so angry

Jimmys real ambitions

the role the squirrel and bear play in their relationship

Helenas assessment of the situation.

Remembering that we know Alison is pregnant but Jimmy doesnt, discuss the
prophetic nature of both Jimmys tirade at the end of Act 1 (If only something)
and his invective Perhaps one day (p. 48) towards the end of Act 2. Why do you
think Osborne deploys this device?
What do you think a feminist literary critic would make of Jimmy and Alisons
relationship? Refer to the text to persuade us of your view.

Act 2 Scene 2
Colonel Redfern:

Jimmys view of him? (see Act 1 too)

what we discover about him from Scene 2

his view of Jimmy

Look Back in Anger copyright John Osborne

www.teachit.co.uk 2007

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Look Back in Anger by John Osborne

apart from collecting Alison, what his role in the play might be

Youre hurt because everything is changed. Jimmy is hurt because everything is

the same. And neither of you can face it. Somethings gone wrong somewhere,
hasnt it? Think about the significance of this:
a) within the play
b) within the post war society.

Do you believe in the change in Jimmy and Helenas relationship at the end of the
scene? What happens and why?

Act 3 Scene 1
This scene echoes the opening scene of the play (Act 1 Scene 1), except that it is
now Helena who stands ironing. Compare the two scenes and think about the effect
of this echo device. Discuss

the nature of Jimmys insults

how the others respond to those insults

the relationship between Cliff and Jimmy

Cliffs relationship with Jimmys partner

why Jimmy reacts so hostilely to Alisons arrival.

Act 3 Scene 2
This is the scene where all the strands come together and everything should make
sense so, what do the characters realise about themselves and their situation in this
scene? Remember to use the text to provide evidence for your conclusions.

Helena realises

Alison realises

Jimmy realises

Osborne says, The ending of the play is not sentimental. It should be ironic. What do
you make of it? Is it a triumph or a defeat? Does it represent a healing or a
recognition of a chronic defect in their relationship?
How would you end the play?

Look Back in Anger copyright John Osborne

www.teachit.co.uk 2007

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