Why does Jimmy dislike religious practices?
The Caretaker is a notable literary work by Harold Pinter. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Caretaker.
Answer
Why does Jimmy dislike religious practices? [NU: 2016, 20] ★★★
In John Osborne’s (1929–1994) play “Look Back in Anger” (1956), Jimmy Porter dislikes religion deeply. His anger comes from his childhood pain, his rejection of authority, and his hatred of false morality in society.
Personal Disillusionment: Jimmy lost his father when he was ten. He watched his father suffer for twelve months. This pain made him angry and bitter. He says in Act I:
“For twelve months, I watched my father dying—when I was ten years old.”
This early pain left him bitter. Religion gave him no comfort. He felt abandoned and lost.
Hypocrisy in Religion: Jimmy sees religion as hypocritical. He thinks people use it to look moral.
In Act I, Cliff mocks a church leader and says:
“… appeal to all Christians to do all they can to assist in the manufacture of the H-Bomb.”
This bitter irony shows religion supporting violence. For Jimmy, this proves religion is empty.
Mockery of Religious Faith: Jimmy also mocks Helena’s religious devotion. He views religious institutions as part of the establishment that oppresses and controls individuals. His rebellious nature makes him reject authority, even religion. In Act 3, Jimmy says to Helena:
“Should I go in for this moral weight lifting and get myself some overdeveloped muscle?”
He compares faith to bodybuilding ads. To him, religion is just another show.
Rebellion Against Authority: Jimmy always fights authority. To him, the church is only another tool of power. He rejects it as part of a cruel and false system.
In Conclusion, Jimmy dislikes religion because it failed him in life, looked false in society, and acted as an authority. His rejection of religion reflects his larger anger against the world.