Anger In The Angry Young Man

Anger is perhaps not well understood because it is omnipresent; anger is so familiar that we assume we know what it is. Anger may be partly physiological, cognitive and psychological, yet it is also deeply ideological. Anger can be manifested in art or literature as a communal sensation towards social, political or economical conditions. (Kim 6)

“It is wise to direct your anger towards problems — not people; to focus your energies on answers — not excuses,” said William Arthur Ward (Ward 24), and so much can be said for the authors, dramatists and novelists, in the modern era who attempted, through their writings, to crack the shell that is the literary restrictions on writing, and expressed their anger toward all their surroundings. In this,

(Ganz: 1983, 45) Shaw, on the contrary, believes that personality is not defined by birth. Instead, he thinks that man can achieve social change if he really believes in himself. As to the play, the barriers between classes are not natural and can be broken down. The play looks at middle class morality and upper-class superficiality, and reflects the social ills of nineteenth century England, and attests that all people are worthy of respect and dignity.

Look Back in Anger (1956) by John Osborne was the first play to explore the theme of the "Angry Young Man." Jimmy Porter, the play’s hero, is often considered to be literature 's seminal example of the angry young man. Jimmy is angry at the social and political structures that he believes has kept him from achieving his dreams and aspirations. He directs this anger towards his friends and, most notably, his wife Alison.

• “Youth Memories of a Lucky Child” by Max Grube.

• “Twentieth Centure Drama” by John Smart.

• “History of European Drama and Theatre” by Erika Fischer-Lichte.

• “A Study Guide for George Bernard Shaw 's Pygmalion” by The Gale Group.

• “On Anger” by Sue J. Kim.

FISCHER-LICHTE, ERIKA

History of European Drama and