SHAW’S PLAYS IN 20th CENTURY/ SHAW’S PLAYS IN MODERN AGE

➔ With the death of Victoria in 1901, Victorian Age of Literature in English (1837-1901) came
to an end.

➔ Edward VII (1841–1910) became the ruler of England in 1901 and ruled England till 1910

➔ In the rule of Edward VII, modern and liberal ideas were expressed by writers more freely
than the Victorian Age.

➔ The works of Shaw were more suitable for Edwardian times than the previous era.

➔ The rapid growth of industrialization and the development of science and technology had
started towards the end of Victorian Age in England.

➔ It was believed with strong optimism that positive development in the world would come in
the 20th century.

➔ The drama in the 20th century was more realistic and naturalistic than the emotional and
melodramatic drams of Victorian England.

➔ John Galsworthy (1867–1933) wrote realistic dramas and his play Strife (1909) showed the
conflict between capitalist and working-class.

➔ Galsworthy other play Justice (1910) showed his support of penal system reforms in
England.

➔ G B Shaw was an intelligent person who study extensively to formulate ideas that could
advance the human race.

➔ His studied the economic, political and social issues of his times and rejected the established
economic, political and social institutions in his iconoclastic plays.

➔ The plays of G B Shaw are comedies which explores serious ideas and he present his ideas
in his plays in a polemical manner.

➔ His plays presents a controversial debate on issues related to politics, war, marriage and the
relationship between genders in the society.

➔ Shaw had strong opinions about these topics and presents his ideas vividly in his plays.