What are the misfortunes in Alison’s life in “Look Back in Anger”?
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Answer
What are the misfortunes in Alison’s life in “Look Back in Anger”? [NU: 2015, 17, 22] ★★★
In John Osborne’s (1929 -1994) “Look Back in Anger” (1956), Alison Porter, the wife of Jimmy Porter, suffers many misfortunes that make her life painful and lonely. Her misfortune reflects pain, loss, and discontent. She represents women in post-war Britain who faced broken marriages, class conflicts, and emotional neglect.
Loveless Marriage and Class Conflict: Alison marries Jimmy against her parents’ wishes, but her marriage is full of quarrels. She recalls Jimmy’s reaction to her parents’ opposition:
“Jimmy went into battle with his axe swinging round his head” (Act II).
Their relationship is poisoned by class differences. Alison comes from an upper-class family, while Jimmy belongs to the working class. Jimmy mocks her background, and Alison feels trapped between her husband and her family.
Neglect and Emotional Hurt: Jimmy is often cruel and neglects Alison’s feelings. Even in Act I, he tells her,
“If you could have a child, and it would die…”.
This shows his bitterness. At the same time, Cliff, Jimmy’s close friend, shows sympathy. He even kisses Alison, which makes her more confused and lonely.
Pregnancy and Miscarriage: Alison’s greatest misfortune comes with her pregnancy. She hides it from Jimmy because of their strained relationship. Later, she suffers a miscarriage. In Act III, she cries in misery. She says:
“I want to be a lost cause. I want to be corrupt and futile!”.
She also admits with sorrow, “I lost the child”.
In short, Alison’s life is filled with silent suffering, like an unhappy marriage, class division, neglect, and the tragic loss of her child. Through her pain, Osborne reflects the loneliness and despair of women trapped in love, family, and society.