Major Barbara (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: George Bernard Shaw
- First Published: 1907
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Play of ideas
- Time of Work: Early twentieth century
- Setting: London and Middlesex
- Genres: Drama, Problem play, Comedy
- Subjects: Social action, Twentieth century, Social issues, Poverty or poor people, England or English people, London, Reformers, Wealth, Salvation Army
- Locales: London, England, Middlesex, England
Characters Discussed
Sir Andrew Undershaft, a munitions tycoon. Believing that poverty is the root of all discontent and, consequently, a threat to capitalism, he uses his power and wealth in an attempt to eliminate it. In a war of ideas with his daughter Barbara, he proves that a donation from a dealer in death—namely, himself—will buy the good graces of the Salvation Army. He then proceeds to fill the void created by her disillusionment by converting her to his own creed.
Barbara, Sir Andrew’s daughter. As a major in the Salvation Army, she exercises her moral...
[The entire page is 611 words long]
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