Comment on the significance of the
title Look Back in Anger.
The
title throws light on the theme or treatment of its subject matter. It is more
concerned with its subject than with the technique adopted in the work. When we
plan to study Joyce’s Ulysses we are in the dark about its technique of
stream-of-consciousness. But the name of the hero brings to our mind an analogy
of the Greek hero who made a journey back home after the Trojan War was over.
In
a similar way, we know little about the dramatic technique to be adopted by
Osborne. Osborne was the most talented modern playwrights after the post world
war. Look Back in Anger is tour de force and predictably set in the
London society after the devastating world war. Not only did the war devastate bridges,
buildings and churches, it also shattered the people’s dreams and cherished
ideals. One of the main casualties of the war was faith in life or in the set
of social or moral values which held the social edifice in its proper place.
So, we can find a clue implied in the title, Look
Back in Anger. The hero is not at ease with some of the values and institutions
of the past. He does not find it easy on his conscience to accept them. His
life is not as easy and smooth as his seniors or predecessors found them. Anger
seems to be smoldering in him.
And
his anger spills over. The simmering volcano belches out its lava, its fire and
smoke. The hero is engaged in shaking his fists against all the specters of the
past. If, however, he could get rid of them, there would have been rather peace
and no friction. But friction or conflict is very much there.
