Examine how class and social status play a role in the characters’ interactions in Look Back in Anger. How does Jimmy’s working-class background influence his resentment toward the upper classes?
Look Back in Anger is a famous play written by John Osborne in 1956. It is known for bringing attention to the feelings of the working class in post-war Britain. The main character, Jimmy Porter, is a young man from a working-class background who feels angry and frustrated about his life. He lives with his wife, Alison, who comes from an upper-class family. The play focuses on how differences in class and social status create tension between characters and how Jimmy’s background shapes his view of the world and his behavior.
1. Jimmy Porter’s Working-Class Identity
Jimmy is educated, smart, and full of energy, but he feels that the world does not give him a fair chance. He believes that people from the upper class live easy lives without understanding real struggle. He has a college degree but works in a sweet shop, which makes him feel stuck and disappointed. His father fought in the Spanish Civil War and died, which gave Jimmy a strong sense of justice and rebellion. This background shapes his personality. He speaks sharply, often with sarcasm, and is always trying to provoke others.
2. Class Conflict in the Marriage
Jimmy’s wife, Alison, is from an upper-middle-class family. Her father was a military officer, and she had a privileged upbringing. Jimmy often lashes out at her because he thinks she is cold and unable to feel strong emotions. He believes that her class background makes her weak and passive. He accuses her of not understanding pain or suffering. Their marriage suffers because Jimmy constantly reminds Alison that she is different from him. This shows how class can create emotional distance between people, even in close relationships.
3. Jimmy’s Anger Toward the Upper Class
Jimmy’s anger is not only directed at Alison but at the whole system. He feels that people like Alison’s family look down on him. He wants to challenge the traditional class order. He often insults people who have power or status, using language that is rude and aggressive. For Jimmy, the upper class represents everything he hates — comfort, safety, and lack of feeling. He wants people to suffer like he has so they can understand real life. This makes him bitter and hard to live with, but also makes him a powerful voice of working-class frustration.
4. Other Characters and Class
- Cliff – He is Jimmy’s friend and also from a working-class background. He is kinder and calmer, showing that not all working-class people express anger the same way.
- Helena – Alison’s friend, who comes from a similar class. She is confident and tries to control situations. When she enters their home, the class difference becomes even more visible.
- Colonel Redfern – Alison’s father. He represents the old upper class and struggles to understand Jimmy. His presence reminds the audience of the gap between generations and social classes.
5. Social Criticism in the Play
John Osborne uses the play to criticize British society. After World War II, there was a lot of change, but class divisions still existed. Many young people like Jimmy felt lost and unimportant. They were educated but had no real opportunity to grow. Jimmy’s anger is a way of showing how these people felt. The play became a voice for the “angry young men” of the 1950s — those who were tired of being ignored by society.
Conclusion
Class and social status play a major role in Look Back in Anger. Jimmy’s working-class background influences every part of his life — his marriage, his friendships, and his opinions. His resentment toward the upper classes is not just personal; it reflects a bigger problem in society. Through powerful characters and emotional conflict, the play shows how class differences can divide people and create deep unhappiness. Osborne’s play remains important because it speaks about fairness, opportunity, and the need to listen to every voice in society.