How Does John Osborne use Humour at the Beginning of 'Look Back In Anger'?
by
ponytail95 (student)
Francesca Briggs
How Does John Osborne use Humour at the Start of Look Back In Anger?
John Osborne uses dark humour in ‘Look Back In Anger’ to suggest the changing moods in which the male protagonist, Jimmy, partakes during the play. The dark humour is almost disconcerting and off-putting. Osborne also reveals a satire feel through Jimmy and Cliff’s dialogue, as they seem to mock and make fun of their society, which they are apart of. “Who buys this damned thing? (throws is down) Haven’t you read the other posh paper yet?” In this quotation Jimmy mocks such the society in which he lives, when he says ‘who buys this damned thing?’ he must have bought it himself for it to be in his own possession, thus mocking himself.
Jimmy comes across as a very stubborn personality in the play and doesn’t seem to like change, bit mocks his own life and does hint that he wants change, but is too cowardly to admit it. “God, how I hate Sundays! It’s always so depressing, always the same. We never seem to get ant further, do we? Always the same ritual.” Jimmy almost mocks his own lifestyle and moans for change within it. But when the opportunity arises on behalf of change, he declines it, “And have my enjoyment ruined by the Sunday night yobs in the front row? No, thank you.” It is as if he is complaining about the routine of which his life undertakes, but is too comfortable in it to do anything about it. I find this amusing and humorous because Jimmy puts up a front that he is a tough, stubborn being, but he is too cowardly for change.
