Look Back in Anger

Compare Alison Porter and Helena Charles. How are the friends similar? How are they different? Do they change over the course of the play? Provide examples.

Jimmy Porter hates what he calls the Establishment. Describe with examples what the Establishment is and how it functions. What is Jimmy’s argument, and why does his hatred of the Establishment extend to Alison?

The feeling of helplessness pervades the novel, and is shown at both the individual level, and, by proxy, at the societal level. Place the helplessness evidenced in the characters within the historical context of the play. Use examples.

Colonel Redfern shows up briefly in the narrative, but plays a major role. Explain who Colonel Redfern is. What does Jimmy say about his background? What does the Colonel say about his own background? Why is the Colonel’s background at odds with modern England?

Describe the roles of parents in the novel. How is the role of Hugh’s mother different than the roles of Mrs. Redfern and Colonel Redfern? How does Jimmy approach Hugh’s mother and how does he approach the Redferns?

Abuse is an underlying current in the narrative that many contemporary critics have commented on. Identify instances of abuse in the narrative. What form does this abuse take? What does it say about the characters?

Compare the vices and virtues of the different classes/social levels in the play. There is mention of the Edwardians, the middle class, and the working class, as well as the Americans. Explain these social groups, and what is associated with each one. How does Jimmy react to each of them?

Explain the background of Jimmy and Alison’s marriage. Their marriage and the pushback from the Redferns is central to the play. What did the Redferns do, and what does Colonel Redfern wish he had done? How does Jimmy react to his treatment by the Redferns?