The Condition of Post-war Society in "Look Back in Anger"
After the World War ii, the 19th century England undergoes social, cultural, financial, religious, including many other problems. A group of new writers emerged in that situation and their attitude to societal ills is revolutionary and their aim is to change society through their plays. John Osborn is one of those 19th century famous writers who have dealt with the post war problems of England in his famous play Look Back in Anger.
The opening of the play reveals the boredom in the life of the post-war youth. As the curtain rises, audience sees the protagonist, Jimmy Porter, and his friend, Cliff Lewis, who are seated in two shabby armchairs and reading newspapers. Here, life is inactive, motionless and dull. Therefore, everyday reveals to be the Sunday. There is a large window in the attic, but the only light comes from a skylight. So the room is somewhat dim which symbolizes their colourless life as there is no change in activities. The room is full of smoke which gives hint to the fact that the whole post-war generation is under problem. Jimmy finds Sunday especially depressing because one has to follow the same routine every time—reading papers, drinking tea, ironing clothes. A few more hours, and another week gone. Our youth is slipping away" Jimmy remarks. He tries to escape from all this boredom by playing on his trumpet.
With the decolonizing process that begins in the 1940s, numerous changes take place in the British Empire that decade which effect Britain's socio-economic fabric. The new Commonwealth expands immigration from Britain's former colonies, and, following the sub continental divide into Pakistan and India on the eve of India's independence, many people relocate to England in search of work or a home after the loss of their own homeland. A result, there has been a serious job and accommodation crisis in the post-war England. After the war, the graduated university students from the lower class found the every possible door of getting jobs up to their expectations closed. Many are forced to accept occupations much below them. Thus, Jimmy Porter, a university graduate is forced to run a sweet stall for his living. He lives in a shabby attic with his upper class wife. As Alison tells her father, Jimmy has tried his hand at many things—-journalism, advertising, even vacuum-cleaner for a few weeks and so on. He is not satisfied with the occupation as a seller of sweets.. He is certainly thinking of leaving the sweet-stall, as he tells Helena, but he does not know what exactly he will do. This attitude of uncertainty and drift is again typical of the aimless youth of post-war England.
The World War II brings an end to the European colonialism. The issue of "`coloured immigration" has been a major social-concern for post-war England and the 1948 British Nationality Act gives the immigrant the legal right of entry and settlement in Britain. Still, the 1950s witnesses race riots in the Midlands and in London Because of the immigration pressure and racial hostilities increases. The year 1956, when Look Back in Anger is written, is also the peak year for the arrival in the industrial cities of immigrants from the West Indies, Pakistan, and India. Here, racism has been shamelessly visible between the aristocrat and poor class. Frustration in the married life of Alison and Jimmy has been driven by the cause of class distinction. As Jimmy is from a working class, Allison does not pay any heed to his words and she faces her parents' disfavor in marrying him. Allison also remains untouched at the words of Jimmy about Mrs. Tanner: "She's been a good friend to us, if you like. She's even letting me buy the sweet-stall off her in my own time. She only bought it for us, anyway. She's fond of you. I can never understand why you're so - distant with her." Finally, Jimmy remarks on her detestation for working class as: "that bitch won't even send her a bunch of flowers...." and so he will be alone to attend Mrs. Tanner's funeral ceremony. Jimmy also constantly berates his wife, Alison, whom he considers his class enemy; opposes Alison's brother Nigel, a Member of Parliament and an Etonian. He attacks the "posh" Sunday newspapers, and condemns Alison's family, especially her mother, for their upper-class ways. In contrast to these attacks, he admires his own father for fighting in Spain against Franco. He has high regard for his working-class friends, Hugh Tanner and his mother, who has helped him to set up the sweet-stall. He considers Helena as "the royalty of middle-class womanhood' and therefore, a "natural enemy." There is much of social criticism and condemnation of the British class system in the play.
The end of World War II is marked by the spiritual hollowness. Jimmy makes fun over the Religious leader, Bishop of Bromley, which symbolizes the failure of the religious leaders to attain a special respect from the citizens of the country. The Bishop urges all Christians to support the manufacture of the H-bomb which points out sincerity and spiritual deadliness at the same time. Jimmy is opposed to religion and its practices and beliefs. He speaks bitterly about the rituals of church and feeling unhappy when Alison goes to church under Helena's influence. Church-going offers no comfort to him, and the sound of church-bells only annoys him.
With the end of World War II, England goes through a significant socio-cultural change. Free mixing, living-to-gather, and short dresses begin to become the trend of the decade. Cliff and Alison are good friends and always kissing and hugging each other before Jimmy but he does not mind at all. The value of nuptial commitment starts to fade away from human mind as Jimmy and Helena do not hesitate to start living-to-gather. Moreover, Jimmy cannot take is easily when he comes to know that Alison has been a virgin before her marriage, as Alison states: "He seemed to think an untouched woman would defile him."The idea of women empowerment also starts to flourish which has been reflected in the play through the carefree life style of Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Redfern.
In conclusion, the end of the World War II has impacted England with great change from every aspect of human life and this change is considered negative by the young generation of 1950s. So, the condition of post-war England has made the youth generation frustrated and Osborne reveals the picture of the post-war England is through the words of Jimmy Porter: I suppose people of our generation aren't able to die for good causes any longer. We had all that done for us, in the thirties and the forties, when we were still kids. ...There aren't any good, brave causes left."
