Major Barbara

Summary

«Major Barbara» is a play by Bernard Shaw that explores themes of morality, religion, and social structure. The main character, Barbara Undershaft, is a major in the Salvation Army and is dedicated to helping the poor and needy. Her father, Andrew Undershaft, is a wealthy industrialist who manufactures weapons and offers financial support to the Salvation Army, placing Barbara in a moral dilemma. She must decide whether to accept money earned from the arms trade for noble purposes. Throughout the play, Barbara grapples with questions about the nature of good and evil, and how money and power influence moral values. The play concludes with Barbara accepting the complexity of the world and deciding to use her father's resources to achieve her goals, acknowledging that good and evil can coexist in society.

Main Ideas

• Conflict between morality and money: At the heart of the plot is the clash between Barbara's idealistic beliefs and the pragmatism of her father, industrialist Andrew Undershaft.
• Social critique: Shaw examines the social and economic structures of society, highlighting the hypocrisy and contradictions in charity and capitalism.
• Role of religion: Through the characters and their interactions, the author explores the influence of religion on society and personal beliefs, questioning the sincerity of religious institutions.
• Ethics and power: The play raises questions about how power and money can affect moral values and personal beliefs.
• Idea of personal responsibility: Shaw emphasizes the importance of personal choice and responsibility for one's actions within the context of social and economic conditions.

Historical Context and Significance

«Major Barbara», a play by Bernard Shaw first performed in 1905, is a significant work reflecting the social and moral dilemmas of the early 20th century. At the center of the plot is the conflict between idealism and pragmatism, embodied in the confrontation between the main character Barbara, who works for the Salvation Army, and her father, an industrialist and arms manufacturer. Shaw uses the play to critique capitalism and explore issues of morality, religion, and social responsibility. The play's impact on culture lies in its ability to provoke discussions about the role of money and power in society, as well as its contribution to the development of intellectual theater that seeks not only to entertain but also to make audiences think about complex social issues. «Major Barbara» remains relevant due to its universal themes and sharp social commentary.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Barbara Undershaft - The main character, a major in the Salvation Army, who strives to help the poor and needy. At the beginning of the play, she is full of idealism and faith in her ability to change the world, but as the plot unfolds, she faces moral dilemmas and begins to question her beliefs.
• Andrew Undershaft - Barbara's father, a wealthy industrialist and arms magnate. He is cynical and pragmatic, believing that money and power rule the world. Throughout the play, he tries to prove to Barbara that his approach to life is more realistic.
• Lady Britomart - Barbara's mother, a determined and authoritative woman who seeks to secure her children's future. She plays a crucial role in the family conflicts and attempts to reconcile Barbara with her father.
• Adolphus Cusins - Barbara's fiancé, an intellectual and philosopher. He supports Barbara in her endeavors but is also intrigued by Andrew Undershaft's ideas. By the end of the play, he accepts an offer to work for Andrew, causing an internal conflict for Barbara.
• Stephen Undershaft - Barbara's brother, who is trying to find his place in life. He does not share Barbara's ideals and does not want to follow in his father's footsteps, making him a character in search of himself.

Style and Technique

Bernard Shaw's play «Major Barbara» is distinguished by its witty and satirical style, characteristic of the playwright. Shaw employs lively and dynamic dialogue to reveal the characters and their worldviews. The language of the play is rich with ironic and sarcastic remarks, allowing the author to critique the social and moral norms of society. Literary devices include the use of paradoxes and contrasts, especially in depicting opposing ideologies such as capitalism and socialism, religion and science. The structure of the play consists of three acts, each gradually developing the plot and deepening the conflict between the characters. Shaw masterfully uses symbolism, such as the image of the arms factory as a symbol of power and moral dilemmas. Overall, the play combines elements of comedy and drama, creating a profound and multilayered work that prompts audiences to reflect on complex issues of ethics and social justice.

Interesting Facts

• The play «Major Barbara» explores themes of morality, religion, and social responsibility through the lens of the Undershaft family, where the father is a wealthy arms manufacturer and the daughter is a major in the Salvation Army.
• One of the central themes of the play is the conflict between idealism and realism, manifested in the clash of views between Barbara and her father.
• Bernard Shaw uses the play to critique capitalism and question the moral foundations of society, showing how money and power can influence human values.
• The play was first performed in 1905 and has since remained one of Shaw's most renowned works, frequently staged.
• «Major Barbara» also explores the question of whether charity can be sincere if it is funded by immoral sources, such as arms manufacturing.

Book Review

Bernard Shaw's «Major Barbara» is a play that delves into complex questions of morality, religion, and capitalism. Shaw masterfully combines wit and social critique, creating a work that prompts audiences to ponder the nature of charity and the true cost of progress. The main character, Barbara Undershaft, serves in the Salvation Army and faces a moral dilemma when her father, a wealthy arms magnate, offers a generous donation. Critics note that Shaw does not provide clear-cut answers in this play but rather encourages reflection on how money and power can influence moral values. The play also stands out for its vivid characters and sharp dialogues, which keep it relevant even today. Shaw succeeds in showing that ideals and reality are often in conflict, making «Major Barbara» one of his most significant works.