"Preface to Major Barbara: First Aid to Critics" by Bernard Shaw is a defense of his play "Major Barbara" from the critics. Written in the early 1900's, the work explains Shaw's reasoning for the plays themes, and the influences of other thinkers. Shaw tackles the big issues of the time, such as problems caused by being poor, and tricky decisions that people in power have to make, especially Andrew Undershaft and the Salvation Army. He believes that being poor is the worst thing someone can be, and it is pointless to look at poor people with fondness. Shaw uses Undershaft to show that it is immoral to be poor, and that the old ideas about morals need to be changed. He thinks people have become too comfortable with the gap between the rich and the poor, and that religious groups are too innocent in their thinking.
Preface to Major Barbara: First Aid to Critics
By Bernard Shaw
In a world drowning in poverty, a playwright challenges society's comfortable views on wealth and morality, daring to expose the uncomfortable truths behind charity and power.
Summary
About the AuthorGeorge Bernard Shaw, known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including major works such as Man and Superman (1902), Pygmalion (1913) and Saint Joan (1923). With a range incorporating both contemporary satire and historical allegory, Shaw became the leading dramatist of his generation, and in 1925 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
George Bernard Shaw, known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including major works such as Man and Superman (1902), Pygmalion (1913) and Saint Joan (1923). With a range incorporating both contemporary satire and historical allegory, Shaw became the leading dramatist of his generation, and in 1925 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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