It is widely accepted that John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger was a turning-point in the history of British theatre, a milestone introducing the era of the New British Drama. Osborne remembers: "On 8 May 1956 [...] Look Back in Anger had its opening at the Royal Court Theatre. This [...] particular date seems to have become fixed in the memories of theatrical historians" and Lacey emphasises: "The moment of John Osborne's Look Back in Anger [...] was undoubtedly a symbolic one in the history of post-war British theatre and of post-war culture generally." However, Look Back in Anger was not perceived as a break-through right from the beginning. Rather, Osborne had to cope with shattering criticism and at first, his play was a crushing defeat. Osborne himself summarized the reactions towards Look Back in Anger in his autobiography about thirty years later: "There was a vehement, undisputed judgement: the play was a palpable miss."
Nearly all reviews focused on the play's hero Jimmy Porter, whose nature they depicted as the reason for the "essential wrongness" of the play. Jimmy was seen as "a bitter young misfit," "a boor, self-pitying, self-dramatising rebel" and a "cynical, neurotic [young man] of working-class stock," whose "continuous tirade against life [...] ha[d] a deadening effect upon the whole play." Cecil Wilson sharpened the criticism when she exclaimed that Jimmy Porter's bitterness and his savage and often vulgar talk "crie[d] out for a knife."
However, the attitudes towards Osborne and his first play changed with the publication of Kenneth Tynan's testimony in the Sunday newspaper a week later stating that he could hardly "love anyone who did not wish to see Look Back in Anger. It is the best young play of its decade." This provocative review suddenly shed a new light on the play. Overnight, Look Back in Anger had become a success, its (anti-)hero Jimmy Porter "the first young voice to cry out for a new generation that had forgotten the war, mistrusted the welfare state and mocked its established rulers with boredom, anger and disgust" and John Osborne had become a celebrated young writer. Owing to its literary key role in the history of British Drama I would like to give a brief overview of the critical opinions about Look Back in Anger before I move on to developing my own thesis.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Positions of criticism
- 3. Jimmy's social identity
- 4. Interim conclusion
- 5. Jimmy's personal identity
- 6. Jimmy as victim and perpetrator
- 7. Jimmy as a tragic character
- 8. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze John Osborne's Look Back in Anger, examining the critical reception of the play and providing an interpretation of its protagonist, Jimmy Porter. The analysis will explore Jimmy's character from multiple perspectives, considering his social and personal identity, and assessing his role as both victim and perpetrator.
- Critical reception of Look Back in Anger and its initial controversial impact.
- Jimmy Porter's social identity and class conflict.
- Jimmy Porter's personal identity and psychological complexities.
- Jimmy Porter's role as both victim and perpetrator in his relationships.
- The portrayal of Jimmy Porter as a tragic character.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the significance of John Osborne's Look Back in Anger as a landmark play in British theatre, marking a shift towards the "New British Drama." It highlights the initial mixed critical reception, with many critics focusing on the protagonist, Jimmy Porter, and deeming his character the reason for the play's perceived flaws. The chapter sets the stage for a deeper analysis of the play and its central character, emphasizing the dramatic shift in critical opinion from initial condemnation to widespread acclaim. The contrasting viewpoints presented in this section form the basis for further exploration of Jimmy Porter's character and the play's enduring relevance.
2. Positions of criticism: This chapter delves into the diverse and often contradictory critical interpretations of Look Back in Anger. It notes the debate surrounding the play's innovative aspects, with some critics arguing that its innovation lies primarily in its content rather than its form. The chapter establishes the complexities of analyzing the play by showcasing the varied perspectives, thus highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to understanding its themes and artistic merit. The multifaceted nature of critical opinions establishes a framework for subsequent detailed analyses of the protagonist.
Keywords
John Osborne, Look Back in Anger, Jimmy Porter, New British Drama, post-war British theatre, social identity, personal identity, tragic hero, critical reception, class conflict.
Look Back in Anger: A Critical Analysis - FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a critical analysis of John Osborne's play, Look Back in Anger. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Look Back in Anger?
The analysis explores several key themes, including the critical reception of the play, Jimmy Porter's social and personal identity, his role as both victim and perpetrator, and his portrayal as a tragic character. The analysis also examines the class conflict present within the play and its significance within the context of post-war British theatre.
What are the main objectives of the critical analysis?
The main objective is to analyze Look Back in Anger, focusing on the critical reception and providing an interpretation of the protagonist, Jimmy Porter. The analysis aims to explore Jimmy's character from multiple perspectives, considering his social and personal identity and his role as both victim and perpetrator.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes summaries of each chapter. Chapter 1 establishes the play's significance and initial critical response. Chapter 2 examines the diverse and often contradictory critical interpretations. Subsequent chapters (not fully summarized here) delve into Jimmy Porter's social and personal identity, his role as victim and perpetrator, and his portrayal as a tragic character.
What is the significance of Look Back in Anger according to this preview?
The preview highlights Look Back in Anger as a landmark play in British theatre, representing a shift towards the "New British Drama." Its initial controversial reception and the subsequent evolution of critical opinion are emphasized.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words include John Osborne, Look Back in Anger, Jimmy Porter, New British Drama, post-war British theatre, social identity, personal identity, tragic hero, critical reception, and class conflict.
What aspects of Jimmy Porter's character are analyzed?
The analysis examines Jimmy Porter's social and personal identity, exploring his complexities and his roles as both victim and perpetrator within his relationships. His portrayal as a tragic character is also a significant focus.
What is the significance of the critical reception of Look Back in Anger?
The initial mixed and often contradictory critical reception of Look Back in Anger is a central theme. The analysis examines the diverse perspectives and debates surrounding the play's innovation and artistic merit.
What is the overall approach of the critical analysis?
The analysis takes a nuanced approach, acknowledging the complexities of the play and the varied interpretations of its themes and characters. It seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of Look Back in Anger by considering multiple perspectives.
- Quote paper
- Lydia Prexl (Author), 2007, The Tragedy of Jimmy Porter, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/128149
