by Merve Cavus

Created on: August 04, 2008   Last Updated: November 10, 2009

Attack, Defense and Reaction
Shaw's Method of Social Criticism in Mrs.Warren's Profession

George Bernard Shaw is a playwright who is mostly celebrated for the social criticism he applies in his plays. In that sense, it can be claimed that Shaw is also a social critic along with being one of the most important playwrights of 20th century. As Salter points out, "he [Shaw] is a Socialist who looks for a new heaven and a new earth" (447).

Shaw's identity as a socialist and a social critic is explained as: "he expects no good or salvation from the individual scramble that is now named industrial order; he looks for a different order based on rational, cooperative, collective action" (Salter 447). So, what Shaw yearns for is a social evolution and he regards art as a medium for this aim.

Shaw reflects his arguments of social criticism against the ills, mismanagements and corruption in the society. While Shaw puts his social arguments forward, his primary aim is to make the audience realize the social corruption he is discussing. In order to make the audience come to this state of realization, Shaw is not acting as a preacher by saying the truth simply and scientifically. Rather, he provides a dramatic interaction among the characters who reflect different viewpoints. In this interaction of viewpoints, one character voices an opinion; the other characters reflect on this opinion and defend their sides.

Accordingly, within the discussion, the characters attack to other viewpoints, react against the counter attack and defend their viewpoints regarding the social issue which is discussed. This process, attack, reaction and defense, constructs Shaw's method of discussion and putting his arguments of social criticism.

The scene of heated discussion between Mrs. Warren and Vivie in Mrs. Warren's Profession, which takes place in Act II, can be given as a good example for reflecting Shaw's method of putting his arguments of social criticism, which includes conventional roles of women as mothers and daughters, respectability in a capitalist society which exploits working class people, hypocrisy of the society and the idea of honest work.

Conventional roles of women as mothers and daughters are discussed in Mrs. Warren's Profession through the relationship between Mrs. Warren and Vivie as a mother and a daughter. In Act II, Mrs. Warren, Frank, Reverend Gardener and Crofts gather together in Mrs. Warren's house. Vivie and Praed join them after a long walk on the hills. Mrs. Warren

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