What are the implications of the concept of the ‘angry young man’ in the context of Osborne’s ‘Look back in Anger’? [British Drama (2018-19) Assignment 2]

The concept of the "angry young man" emerged in the 1950s as a cultural and social phenomenon in Britain. The term refers to a group of writers and artists who came from working-class backgrounds and rejected the values and traditions of the upper class. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the status quo through their art, often using angry and confrontational language.

John Osborne's play "Look Back in Anger" is a significant example of the "angry young man" genre. The play features Jimmy Porter, a working-class man who is frustrated with his lack of opportunities and the political and social systems that keep him down. He is angry at the upper class, whom he perceives as selfish and corrupt, and he is angry at his own working-class peers, whom he sees as complacent and content to accept their lot in life.

The implications of the "angry young man" concept in the context of "Look Back in Anger" are several. First, the play highlights the conflict between the upper and working classes in post-war Britain. Jimmy's anger is directed at the upper class, which he sees as exploitative and indifferent to the suffering of the working class. This anger reflects the broader sense of disillusionment and discontent among the working class in the post-war period.

Second, the play also highlights the struggle of individuals to find their place in society. Jimmy is frustrated with his lack of opportunities and his inability to escape his working-class background. His anger reflects the frustration of many individuals who feel trapped by social and economic systems that seem to offer them no hope.

Finally, the play also reflects the broader cultural shift in Britain in the 1950s. The "angry young man" phenomenon marked a rejection of the traditional values and ideals of the upper class, as well as a rejection of the complacency of the working class. The play, therefore, can be seen as a cultural critique of the status quo, and a call for change and progress in British society.