Billy's Character in Keith Waterhouse's Billy Liar

Billy's Character in Keith Waterhouse's Billy Liar

The play 'Billy Liar' was written by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall

in 1960. It was set in the late fifties/early sixties, which was a

revolutionary era.

During this time many people felt discontented and restrained, leading

to their questioning of the class system and the authority of the day.

Such feelings were reflected by playwrights portraying naturalistic

interpretations that linked to social realism (that is, exposing daily

life for what it truly was). Perhaps the strongest indication of this

was the increased use of swearing and regional accents, replacing the

former tightly clipped British accents. These writers were interested

in simply promoting life as it really was.

During the play, the audience is presented with three different

generations. The past represented by Florence, the Grandma; the

present represented by Alice and Geoffrey, the parents of Billy;

finally, there are many potential future representatives in this play

including Arthur and Barbara. However, the main character is Billy.

During the play it becomes apparent to the audience that Billy is in a

state of emotional chaos; he is unaware of who he is and what he wants

to become. As the play unfolds this is emphasised by Billy becoming

less able to distinguish between reality and fantasy.

The impression that the audience gets of Billy before he enters from

his family, is that he is extremely idle and doesn't take kindly to

orders.

'I've shouted him three times…' (Act 1: 65)

However, his Grandmother believes that Alice and Geoffrey, Billy's

parents, are entirely responsible for his disobedience.

'They let him carry on just as he likes...' (Act 1: 57)

However, when Billy first arrives on stage some aspects agree with his

family comments, whereas some don't.

His idleness is confirmed with how he is dressed as he enters.

'(He is wearing an old raincoat over his pyjamas. He is smoking a

cigarette)' (Act 1: 92)

This shows that Billy doesn't take any pride in his appearance and

cannot be bothered either.