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Major Barbara | Introduction

George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara has been called the most controversial of Shaw's works. The play was first produced at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 1905, and early reviews were decidedly mixed. Shaw's seeming criticism of Christianity caused some to accuse him of blasphemy, while others defended what they saw as Shaw's realistic presentation of religion. Critics complained about the violence of the play, particularly in the second act, saying it was so excessive as to be beyond realism. Others disagreed, saying that the depiction of that violence, if unrealistic, was so only because the violence was subdued. Whatever the opinion of the critics, however, the play was a success with the public. It remains popular and has enjoyed numerous revivals, including an adaptation to film in 1941. Today it is considered a very important work, not only among Shaw's plays but also in the history of modern drama.

Many of Shaw's plays are known for their involved arguments and Major Barbara is no exception Shaw himself called the play "a discussion in three long acts," and much of the play's "action" consists, in fact, of words. When the play was published in 1907, Shaw added, as with many of his works, a lengthy preface, contributing further discussion about the play itself. In addition, the play is noted for its unconventional attitudes toward morality as well as its irony and humor. Given the serious nature of the issues examined in the play— wealth and poverty, business and religion, cynicism and idealism—it is sometimes easy to overlook the fact that Major Barbara is, in fact, a comedy. Shaw uses the play to entertain his audience, to make people laugh, while examining issues that are as important today as they were when the play was first written.

Major Barbara Summary

Act I
Major Barbara opens with Lady Britomart m the library of her house in London, England, as her son Stephen, whom she has summoned, enters. She has asked to see him, she reveals, because of her concern about his future financial well-being, as well as that of his sisters, Sarah and Barbara. The audience learns that her daughter Sarah is engaged to Charles Lomax, who will not be able to support her until he receives his inheritance. It is also revealed that her other daughter, Barbara, who has joined the Salvation Army, is engaged to Adolphus Cusins, a Greek scholar who also has an insufficient income and who, Lady Britomart believes, only pretends to be a Salvationist because he is m love with Barbara. Stephen as well should soon seek a wife and will need to provide for his own family. For this additional monetary' support. Lady Britomart tells Stephen that she must turn to the children's father. Andrew Undershaft, a wealthy munitions manufacturer from whom she has been separated for many years.

Lady Britomart also reveals that Stephen will not inherit his father's business because each heir to the Undershaft enterprise must be a foundling and must, when he dies, leave the business to another foundling. Stephen, horrified by his father's profession, does not wish to take his fathers money and is upset when he discovers that Undershaft is expected at Lady Britomart's house almost immediately.

Barbara. Sarah, Cusins. and Lomax, who have also been summoned, enter the library. Barbara is enthusiastic about seeing her father because he has a soul to be saved. Undershaft is shown into the room and introduced to his children. He expresses an interest in the Salvation Army, saying that their motto, "Blood and Fire," could be his as well. While the others are clearly uncomfortable with Undershaft's profiling from war. he reveals that he is not at all ashamed.

When Barbara invites him to her Salvation Army shelter, he agrees to come the next day provided she will come the day after to his munitions factories. Barbara, hoping to convert her father, agrees to this arrangement, while he says that he may in fact convert her. When Lady Britomart decides to ring for prayers. Undershaft says that he will only stay for a service conducted by Barbara, and Barbara agrees to conduct one. All leave for the service in the drawing room, except for Stephen who. still disgusted by his father, remains in the library.

Act II
This act opens the following day at Barbara's Salvation Army shelter where Snobby Price, an unemployed workman, and Rummy Michens, a poverty-stricken woman, are seated at... » Complete Major Barbara Summary