By George Bernard Shaw
Publisher: BiblioBazaar, Large Print ed, 2007, 112 pages ISBN: 978-1434638335
Genre: Fiction, Comedy
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Major Barbara By George Bernard Shaw Publisher: BiblioBazaar, Large Print ed, 2007, 112 pages ISBN: 978-1434638335 Genre: Fiction, Comedy |
Reviewed by Israel Drazin - February 9, 2011
Shaw mocks religion in this three act comedy, ridicules politicians and the press, demeans England, as usual, and points out that it is not politicians who rule England, but as the American President Eisenhower later said, the military-industrial complex. The play focuses on an atypical family. Lady Britomart has a son and two daughters, one of whom, Barbara, is dedicated to religion and is a major in the Salvation Army. Britamart's husband, from whom she has been separated for over a decade, but who supports her liberally, makes millions selling armaments to warring parties.
Her husband is a foundling. He does not know his parents. He is one of many generations of men who have run his factories. Each owner must be a male foundling. Her husband therefore wants the same for his successor and refuses to have his son or daughters succeed him. His wife describes him as a very moral man who practices immorality. Like George Bernard Shaw, he believes that each person has his or her own sense of morality and should not be governed by the moral values of others. In stark contrast, Barbara believes that all people are sinners.
Shaw portrays the hypocrisy he sees in the Salvation Army. For example, while being vehemently against the ingestion of alcohol and against war, they take money from brewers and arms dealers. Barbara sees this and quits the group. Shaw also compares the sordid English society and the well-run factory town of the husband.
His wife invites him to her home with the intention of persuading him to increase the support payments that he is making. Their two daughters want to marry and their potential husbands are poor.
