George Barnard Shaw: Literary Path

Introduction

A pioneer writer, philosopher, and critique of the 20th century, George Bernard Shaw is a prominent figure renowned for his radical ideas. While Shakespeare is primarily an artist holding a mirror to nature, Shaw is fundamentally a thinker with a message, aiming to reflect truth to his generation. Viewing everything through the lens of reason, Shaw focuses on the false ideals that have been long worshipped, earning him a reputation as a stern realist. Endowed with a rare gift of fearless intellect, Shaw's ideas remain surprising and contemporary even in the modern age. To many, he is a mystery, an enigma. As Thomas Dickson aptly puts it, "The most talked about man of his time, he has been most misunderstood or most variously understood."

George Bernard Shaw: Literary Path

George Bernard Shaw was born on July 26, 1856, in Dublin, Ireland. Although he did not suffer harshness from his mother, her indifference and lack of affection deeply hurt him. He found solace in the abundant music of the house, as his mother was a conductor and singing teacher. She eventually left Shaw's father, an unsuccessful merchant, to teach singing lessons in London. At twenty, Shaw moved to London and wrote five novels. From an early age, he identified as a socialist and joined the Fabian Society, advocating for reform leading to socialism without bloodshed. He married Charlotte Payne-Townshend in 1898 and became an extremely prolific writer, completing over fifty plays before his death at ninety-four.

Notable Works

Shaw wrote plays, socio-political writings, fictions, essays, reviews, and more. Some notable works include "Widowers' Houses," "The Philanderer," "Candida," "You Never Can Tell," "The Devil's Disciple," "Caesar and Cleopatra," "Captain Brassbound's Conversion," "John Bull's Other Island," "Getting Married," "Back to Methuselah," "The Apple Cart," "Too True to Be Good," "On the Rocks," "The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles," "The Millionairess," and "The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God."

Key Plays

"Mrs. Warren's Profession" was inspired by conversations with actress Janet Achurch, who pointed Shaw to the short story "Yvette" by Guy de Maupassant. "Arms and the Man," set in the aftermath of the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885, challenges romantic ideas about war and love. In "Man and Superman," Shaw exemplifies drama as a cultural debate, while "Major Barbara," premiering in 1905, revolves around a young woman in the Salvation Army. "The Doctor's Dilemma" explores the paradox of genius lacking honor, and "Saint Joan," premiering in 1923, was written during a period of professional depletion for Shaw. "Pygmalion," Shaw's most famous play, is well-known for its 1938 film adaptation, for which Shaw wrote the screenplay. He was the first to win both a Nobel Prize and an Academy Award.

Themes and Style

Shaw's use of historical events and figures, including Marx, St. Thomas More, Voltaire, Rousseau, Paige, Cobbet, and Lenin, evidences his excellence. He references events like the Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, and the New Deal to clarify his notions. His wit is free from idleness, described as a "consuming fire" that burns through conventional images until transparent. Despite contentious views on eugenics, alphabet reform, and opposition to vaccination and organized religion, Shaw's standing and productivity as a dramatist remained unaffected.

Conclusion

Shaw conveys his ideas humorously, engaging his audience with a friendly tone from the start. His approach is rudimentary, using real examples and seemingly inevitable conclusions, wrapped in soft humor. His social criticism is sharp, leaving a pleasant yet deep impression. Shaw's speech, with run-on sentences, adds charm to his oratory. Chesterton notes that such a man is "comparatively audacious in theory because he is comparatively clear in thought." Shaw's logical and analytical thoughts often remain unchallenged. His literary style is clear, vivid, forceful, and practical, with epigrams and paradoxes that stick in memory. Provocation is his chief weapon, camouflaged behind sly, impudent wit. "Find the right thing to say, and then say it with utmost levity" is his formula. His controversial opinions, with a touch of humor, paint his works in vibrant colors, ensuring George Bernard Shaw remains one of the most well-known and popular authors today.

References

1. Shaw, G. B. (1923). Saint Joan. London: Constable and Company Ltd.
2. Holroyd, M. (1988). Bernard Shaw: The One-Volume Definitive Edition. New York: Random House.
3. Chesterton, G. K. (1909). George Bernard Shaw. London: John Lane Company.
4. Innes, C. (1998). The Cambridge Companion to George Bernard Shaw. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
5. Weintraub, S. (1982). Shaw’s People: Victoria to Churchill. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.
6. Holroyd, M. (1997). Bernard Shaw: The New Biography. London: Chatto & Windus.