Look Back in Anger

The basis of any great dramatic play lies in its devilment of plot or of characters, but in Look Back in Anger, the chief characteristic seems its reliance on action which is based on the use of language in the play. Undoubtedly, the action of the play is mainly psychological and involves necessary use of language. The characters have fluctuating thoughts, hidden emotions and relational bindings which find expression through word, stance or even gestures. In this regard, it has been the opinion of a lot of critics that language itself plays the role of a protagonist in the play. This is evident from the fact that though the characters express themselves through language, language on its part puts across its themes and actions. And most importantly, the only way of knowing characters in the play is through the language as they are embodied through it. many times in the play, the language used is melodramatic and is used, even though crudely, to appeal to the emotions of both the characters and the spectators. As an example one may refer to Alison’s speech towards the end of Act II Scene ii where she starts shouting: “I’m in the fire and I’m burning, and all I want is to die! . . .. . . . .this is what he wanted from me! . . . …….I’m in the mud at last! I’m groveling! I’m crawling! Oh God…..” Such a use of language automatically seems very exaggerated and melodramatic but at the same time it does show the power of language and how it can undermine Alison and be the protagonist itself.

Quotes and Analysis

1. "People like me don't get fat. I've tried to tell you before. We just burn everything up."

Look Back in Anger, 12.

This quote, spoken by Jimmy, is a glimpse into his character and his anger. Though his quote, literally, is meant to convey the kind of physical energy that Jimmy has in his everyday life, on another level the quote is meant to suggest the kind of destruction that Jimmy brings to the lives of those