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John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger depicts the disorientation of the post-war British generation. With the loss of the empire, consolidated by The Suez crisis In 1956, and the rise of America, Britain was “struggling to find a place in the new world order”(Royal Lyceum Theatre Company 3). Jimmy Porter, the play’s protagonist, encapsulates this inertia in his frustrated confrontation of sex, politics and class. Yet, despite being the only character to directly challenge 1950s society, Helena concludes, “There is no place for people like that any longer – in sex, or politics, or anything. That’s why he is so futile” (Osborne, 96). This statement represents the confusion of Jimmy’s generation; burdened by Britain’s dynamic and purposeful history, he becomes trapped in a state of reminiscence, harking back to Imperialist Britain and his childhood. At face value, his anger towards 1950s disillusionment is attractive, giving Alison a momentary sense of purpose in her challenge of the class system. Yet, ultimately Jimmy’s anger is futile; acting out of retaliation towards his mother and reminiscing over imperialist Britain, his displaced rage undermines his socio-political criticisms. The play subsequently becomes a painfully realistic reflection of the audience’s own reality, made all the more poignant by Jimmy’s (and the audience’s) ultimate helplessness.
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