Look Back in Anger Overview

The Play’s Characters and Setting

• Look Back in Anger follows the lives of a young married couple, Alison and Jimmy, in 1950s England.
• Alison comes from an upper-class background, while Jimmy is from a working-class family.
• Cliff, a working-class man and Jimmy’s close friend, lives with them.
• The play opens on a Sunday morning in their apartment.

Jimmy’s Anger and Beliefs

• Jimmy is deeply critical of upper-class complacency.
• He believes suffering is necessary for true human emotion, suggesting that the upper class is less “alive” than he is.
• Jimmy seems nostalgic for a time when Britain had more power.
• He uses insults and shock tactics to try and provoke emotional responses from Alison.

Alison’s Pregnancy and Troublesome Relationships

• Alison is pregnant with Jimmy’s child, but she is afraid to tell him, fearing his reaction.
• Cliff reveals that Alison is pregnant to Jimmy.
• Jimmy’s anger and jealousy escalate when Alison’s friend, Helena, comes to stay.
• Alison’s father, Colonel Redfern, arrives and suggests that Jimmy’s anger toward him and her mother is justified.

Jimmy’s Loss and Alison’s Departure

• Jimmy’s childhood experience with his father’s death has shaped his view of life.
• The play explores the complex dynamics of class and generational conflict.
• Alison’s decision to leave with her father causes Jimmy’s outburst.
• Her departure opens the door for Helena and Jimmy’s relationship.

Jimmy and Helena’s Short-Lived Romance

• Cliff reveals his plans to move out, expressing frustration with the constant presence of women in their lives.
• Helena falls in love with Jimmy and declares her love for him.
• Alison’s return, burdened by a miscarriage, leads to Helena’s realization of her mistakes.
• Helena leaves Jimmy, and he acknowledges her lack of strength and resilience.

Alison’s Transformation and Reconciliation

• Alison’s miscarriage helps her understand the depth of Jimmy’s emotions.
• She embraces the vulnerability and raw emotion Jimmy desired from her.
• The play ends with a sense of reconciliation and a newfound understanding between the two.