Major Barbara/Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw

This drama is set in late nineteenth-century Victorian England. Major Barbara is one of George Bernard Shaw’s “discussion” plays, a style of playwriting that is achieved through a series of conversations. Ideological conflicts arise between Barbara, a major in the Salvation Army, and her father, a wealthy industrialist. Shaw addresses morality, religion, hypocrisy, and society in this play and makes reference to the “Gospel of St. Andrew Undershaft” in his preface—a gospel that promises society’s redemption. The play emphasizes poverty as the cause of society's ills.

This controversial drama is set in late nineteenth-century Victorian England. George Bernard Shaw advances his advocacy of greater social independence and equality of educational and work opportunities for women. Shaw uses Mrs. Warren's Profession to draw attention to the fact that prostitution was not a sexual choice; rather, it was a necessity for some poor women who were not allowed legitimate opportunities in the business world. Shaw illustrates the irony of women finding dignity and independence in a profession that also robbed them of dignity. He also shows that through this demeaning profession, Mrs. Warren was able to provide a better future for her daughter.

About the Series:

Novel/Drama curriculum units contain complete lesson plans with preliminary and follow-up work, teacher notes with plot summary, background, and rationale, ready-to-use worksheets, and suggested answers for student questions. These study guides encourage the development of thinking, reading, speaking, research, and writing skills as well as critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.