Indicate the ways in which Osborne tries to provide 'lessons in feeling‘ in the play. Do you think the attempt is successful ? (MEG 104) (UNIT 1- BACKGROUND TO THE PLAY)

In Look Back in Anger, John Osborne attempts to provide "lessons in feeling" by exploring the emotional lives of his characters and encouraging the audience to empathize with their experiences. He does this through various techniques, such as the use of powerful and emotive language, the depiction of complex and flawed characters, and the exploration of universal themes of love, loss, and longing.

One of the ways Osborne tries to provide lessons in feeling is through the character of Jimmy Porter. Jimmy is a passionate and volatile character, prone to angry outbursts and emotional extremes. Through his character, Osborne encourages the audience to feel deeply and to empathize with Jimmy's frustrations and struggles. The play also explores the emotional turmoil of Alison, Jimmy's wife, as she struggles to reconcile her love for her husband with the realities of their class differences.

Another way Osborne provides lessons in feeling is through his exploration of universal themes such as loss and longing. The play explores the theme of loss through the character of Cliff, Jimmy's best friend, who is mourning the loss of his own father. The play also explores the theme of longing through the character of Helena, Alison's friend, who is searching for meaning and connection in her own life.

Overall, Osborne's attempt to provide "lessons in feeling" in the play is successful to a large extent. The play is a powerful exploration of human emotions and experiences, and it encourages the audience to engage with these themes on a deep and personal level. However, some critics have argued that the play can be overly melodramatic and heavy-handed in its emotional appeals, which may detract from its overall impact. Nevertheless, the play remains an important work in the canon of modern drama, and its exploration of the human psyche continues to resonate with audiences today.