Saint Joan

Interesting Facts

• The play is based on the historical figure of Joan of Arc, who played a key role in the Hundred Years' War between France and England.
• Bernard Shaw wrote the play in 1923, and it became one of his most famous works, winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1925.
• Shaw portrayed Joan of Arc as a strong and independent woman, which was quite progressive for the time the play was written.
• The play explores themes of religion, politics, and individualism, raising questions about the role of women in society and how society reacts to innovative ideas.
• Shaw used historical documents and testimonies to create a realistic depiction of Joan of Arc's trial, while also adding his philosophical reflections.
• In the play, Shaw also explores the theme of martyrdom and how society often rejects and destroys its heroes.