Page 1 of 12
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 02
February 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 744
Look Back in Anger: Predicament of the Contemporary English Society in the
Post-war Scenario
Rajkumar
Research Scholar
Singhania University, Pacheri, Jhunhjunu
Abstract: Look Back in Anger as a play took not only the English Theatre but also the English
society by storm and the sensation it created an indelible impression. The play became a fertile
ground for presenting the predicament of the contemporary English society in the post-war
scenario with a kind of honesty that could be rivaled only by itself. Jimmy Porter, the protagonist
of the play, was regarded as the spokesman, a cult figure for the youth of post-war generation
who turned around only to find everything futile.
Key words: English Theatre, Protagonist, English Society
Introduction: The end of the Second World War signaled the end of an era in the history of
Great Britain as well. The Labour Party was voted for power in 1945. There were celebrations
even in India when the British Soldiers nailed a red flag to the roof of the mess at the foot of
Anand Parbat in Delhi anticipating the beginning of a new era which ushered a Socialist
Paradise. The Labour Government slowly dismantled the British Empire. Great Britain was
shrunk to Little England and the entire energy was turned inwards as the Clement Attlee
Government began building up a Welfare society which was primordially centered on
nationalization of utilities. It guaranteed health care, free education, subsidized housing, social
Page 2 of 12
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 02
February 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 745
insurance, old age pensions, sickness benefits and unemployment benefits, most of which were
covered by the newly introduced National Insurance.
Britain, however was in many respects unable to afford such radical changes and the
Government had to cut down on expenditures. Britain was forced to give independence to many
overseas colonies, beginning with India in 1947 and Burma, Ceylon during 1948-1949. There
were acute shortages of rationing in the late 1940’s. The pace of economic growth was
hampered, inflation rose, and the administration lost its credibility leading to the waning of the
euphoria generated and subsequent disenchantment. J.B. Priestly, in an article entitled “What is
wrong with Britain Today?”.
We know vaguely that we are no longer top dogs in the world, but apart from that we don’t know
what kinds of dogs we are. We are in danger of turning into a faceless nation.
The dream was deferred. The Conservative Party which came to power in 1951 continued most
of the post-war reforms of the Labour Party, thus indicating to the people that there was hardly
any difference between both the parties. The English people felt that they were devoid of any
choice as such. As John Russell Taylor points outs, “the Labour and Conservative Parties were
essentially not very different and this led to disillusionment with national politics and the
possibility of any political change.”
Page 3 of 12
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 02
February 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 746
The Suez Crisis of 1956, in addition to it, lowered Britain’s reputation as a world power. Soviet
Union triggered the arms race by manufacturing the atom bomb and then the hydrogen bomb
challenging the supremacy of Western nuclear monopoly. The automation in industries led to a
repetitive, stereotyped, unhygienic work regime cutting off workers from their traditional social
moorings.
Another casualty of the new era was the Church of England which could not instill hope and
faith in the people. The open support of the Bishops of the Church extended to nuclear weapons,
particularly at a time when the movement of CND – Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was
gaining momentum, tangibly antagonized the progressive opinion for peace. The class
distinctions, though marginally diminished during the Labour Government, were pronounced.
Snobbery and middle class morality also acted as deterrents. There was wide spread discontent,
depression and disillusionment, all of which not only contributed to but also constituted the
climate of opinion in England as seen in 1956.
The youth in their 20’s were seeking desperately to unlock the doors that were shut or to remove
even the doors. Alan Carter noted: The movement, if it could be called anything as definite as
that, was in its essence an expression of disillusionment. Many people were fed up, they were
bored, and had little opportunity for achievement. They were searching for a world they could
believe in, and even get angry at. All they needed was a call to arms. Osborne sounded that call.
He did so in the theatre, and from there it echoed round the land.
