Look Back in Anger: Osborne’s use of symbols

John Osborne's play, Look Back in Anger

(Use of Symbols)

Q. Examine Osborne’s use of symbols in Look Back in Anger

Answer: John Osborne's play "Look Back in Anger" makes use of several powerful symbols to convey its themes and ideas. The symbols used by Osborne are intended to deepen the play's impact on the audience and to make its underlying messages more resonant and meaningful. In this response, I will examine some of the key symbols used by Osborne in the play.

One of the most significant symbols in "Look Back in Anger" is the ironing board. Throughout the play, Jimmy Porter expresses his frustration with his working-class background and his inability to escape his social and economic circumstances. The ironing board, which is a recurring presence in the play, serves as a symbol of Jimmy's entrapment within his working-class life. It represents the drudgery and monotony of his daily routine and his sense of being stuck in a life that he can't escape.

Another important symbol in the play is the trumpet. Jimmy is a trumpet player, and his love for the instrument serves as a symbol of his youthful passion and idealism. However, the trumpet also represents his disillusionment with the world and his inability to realize his dreams. For Jimmy, the trumpet is both a source of joy and a reminder of the limitations of his life.

Another important symbol in "Look Back in Anger" is the balcony. The balcony represents a space where Alison can escape from the oppressive nature of her relationship with Jimmy. In the play, Alison retreats to the balcony when she needs a moment of solitude and reflection. The balcony serves as a symbol of the emotional distance that exists between Alison and Jimmy, as well as the barriers that prevent them from truly connecting with each other.

The newspaper is another significant symbol in the play. Throughout the play, Jimmy reads the newspaper and expresses his frustration with the world and the injustices he sees around him. The newspaper serves as a symbol of Jimmy's disillusionment with the world and his sense of powerlessness in the face of the larger social and political forces that shape his life. It also represents the disconnection between Jimmy and the other characters, as they are unable to understand or relate to his feelings of anger and frustration.

The character of Cliff is associated with the symbol of food. As Jimmy's best friend and confidant, Cliff serves as a counterpoint to Jimmy's anger and frustration. He is a symbol of the simple pleasures of life and the importance of friendship and human connection. Cliff's love of food and his simple enjoyment of life's pleasures serve as a reminder of the importance of finding joy and meaning in the small things.

The character of Alison is also associated with several symbols in the play. Her wedding dress is a symbol of her trapped and unhappy marriage to Jimmy, while her hair represents her repressed sexuality and desire for freedom. When she cuts her hair, it is a symbol of her rebellion against the constraints of her life and her desire to break free from the expectations placed upon her.

Finally, the character of Helena serves as a symbol of the changing social and cultural norms of the time. As a member of the upper-middle class, she represents a world that is rapidly changing and evolving, with new ideas and values challenging the old order. Her presence in the play serves to highlight the generational divide between the characters and the tensions between traditional and modern values.

In conclusion, the use of symbols in "Look Back in Anger" serves to deepen our understanding of the characters and their struggles, and to make the play's themes and ideas more resonant and meaningful. The balcony, newspaper, food, the ironing board, trumpet, wedding dress, hair, and Helena all serve as powerful symbols that contribute to our understanding of the play's central themes of social inequality, disillusionment, and the search for meaning and connection.

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