Look back in anger is a play by British playwright John Osborne, published in 1957.

It proved a landmark
in the history of the theatre, a focus for reaction against a previous generation and a decisive
contribution to the corporate image of the Angry Young Man. A proper Kitchen Sink Drama, the play
emphasizes upon the raw emotions and living conditions of the working class. Written on the backdrop
of the massive decline of the British Empire, the play is recognized as a bombshell that blew up old
British theatre.

Symbolism is an important literary device which the author uses to provide meaning to the writing
beyond what is actually being described. It allows the author he wants his audience to remember in his
work of literature. It adds a new level to the literary work and enhances its qualities. Dramatists like
Shakespeare used symbols brilliantly to create finest examples of literature in English. John Osborne is
no less skilled to exploit symbolism as he aptly shows in his play Look Back in Anger. A play in three acts,
Osborne does make a significant and remarkable use of symbols to convey its thematic implication. A
plethora of symbolic elements have enriched the play making it a remarkable specimen in contemporary
literary art and craft specially, in drama.

There are many symbols found throughout the play. For example, Ironing has been used as a symbolic
element. In the beginning act we find Alison ironing endlessly. Her Ironing represents the kind of routine
with which Jimmy is fed up. It also becomes the symbol of his boredom as one of his early speeches
reveal: Always the same ritual. Reading the paper, having tea, Ironing. A few more hours, and another
week gone. Our youth is sleeping away. Subsequently also he shows his impatience with the ironing. It
is ironical enough that after Alison has gone away and has been replaced by Helena, we find her also
ironing the clothes like Alison. It symbolizes that there is no change in Jimmys life.

The church bell is another symbol which symbolizes a represents a respectable middle class morality
that Jimmy finds oppressive. Church bells ringing on Sunday evening symbolizes the religious
establishment that the angry young protagonist believes to be an encroachment into his domestic
space. We hear Jimmy resorting to loud trumpet as a mode of protest. Jimmy curses and yells when he
hears them. Jimmys pipe is another example of an upper class symbol that he uses instead of a
cigarette. Jimmys pipe is a way for him to dominate the scene and assert himself as a rebellious force in
the world. His pipe smoke fills the room, and creates a smell that other characters come to associate
with him. While living with her parents in the third act of the play the smell of pipe smoke reminds
Alison of Jimmy and soon after she comes to him. Alison says in the first act: I don't mind it. I've got used
to it. Later on we find Helena saying that she likes the smell which reflects how she is attracted to Jimmy
and also the fact that she has more of a sense of self than Alison in the same situation. Once in the
apartment Alison absent mindedly cleans up the ashes from the pipe. Reflecting the fact that she retains
her upper class sense and respect even after returning from her parents to live in Jimmys world. Thus,
the pipe becomes a litmus test of Helena and Alisons relationship with Jimmy throughout the play.

Jimmys Jazz trumpet can be heard off stage at various points in the play. Jazz has traditionally been a
form of protest music associated with the working class. It symbolizes Jimmys desire to be a voice of
resistance in society. It also shows the futility of that dream. It serves largely to annoy and antagonize wth
those around him. Like Jimmys Pipe smoke the trumpet also allows Jimmy to assert his dominance non
verbally.

Jimmy and Cliff read newspapers throughout Act 1 and 3. Jimmy uses the newspaper as a symbol of
education. He also uses some newspaper articles to criticize the intelligence of Cliff and Alison.
The newspaper in the apartment also found scattered which might symbolize the real world as scattered
broken and futile.

The red shirt of Jimmy is another interesting symbol. It is worn by Alison as we find at the beginning of Act
1. The same shirt is worn by Helena in the beginning of Act 3. It symbolizes the relation to the themes of
love and sexuality.

Alison and Jimmys Bear and Squirrel game gives them a way to access a simple affection for each
other that they cannot achieve in normal life. The bear is associated with Jimmy and the squirrel with
Alison. The animals symbolize the fact that social norms and conventions interfere with love that this two
characters have for each other. Their relationship is a sight of class and social conflict. Their love is full of
anger and fighting. When they act like animals whose priorities are food, shelter, cleanliness and sex,
they forget everything else and love each other.

The animal version of Jimmy and Alison as the bear and squirrel reflects a childlike innocence which
these characters find it difficult to maintain in their troublesome world. But that they still hope for.