Power.

The theme of power plays a central role in George Bernard Shaw's "Major Barbara." It
manifests in two key ways:

1. Wealth and Social Power: The play critiques the power wielded by the wealthy arms
manufacturer Undershaft family. Major Barbara, raised in privilege, initially believes her
father's money can be used for good. However, his response exposes the corrupting
influence of such power:
Andrew Undershaft: "Money is power. And power is life – the only thing that matters."
2. Spiritual Power: Barbara's faith offers an alternative source of power. She believes in
the transformative power of the Salvation Army and its message of salvation. However,
her methods clash with the harsh realities of poverty, leading her to question its
effectiveness:
Major Barbara: "Bodily health is more than half of morality."

The play explores the tension between these two forms of power. Barbara ultimately
chooses a path that merges both, recognizing the need for social reform alongside
spiritual salvation. This choice reflects Shaw's socialist ideals, suggesting a more
equitable distribution of wealth could create a better world.

2. Anarchy and Freedom:

The theme of freedom in "Major Barbara" takes center stage through two key lenses:

1. Individual vs. Societal: Major Barbara initially believes in the Salvation Army's rigid
structure, offering a pre-defined path to "salvation." However, her encounters with
poverty highlight the limitations of this system. Her father, Andrew Undershaft,
embodies a stark contrast. His wealth grants him freedom from societal constraints, but
this freedom comes at a cost – the arms industry he controls fuels conflict:
Andrew Undershaft: "Money is power. And power is life – the only thing that matters."
(This quote showcases his belief in individual power, even if achieved through
potentially destructive means.)
2. Freedom of Choice vs. Freedom of Action: Barbara wrestles with this internal conflict.
While Undershaft offers her access to resources and potential for greater impact, she
questions the morality of his methods.
Finding True Freedom: The play doesn't endorse unbridled freedom. Instead, it
suggests a path towards a more balanced approach. Barbara's potential solution lies in
utilizing Undershaft's resources to empower individuals and challenge the status quo,
but within a framework that promotes social good. This reformed system could offer a
greater sense of freedom for both individuals and society as a whole.

3. Critique of Capitalism.

In George Bernard Shaw's "Major Barbara," capitalism undergoes a merciless

critique. At the play's core lies the idea that poverty, not immorality, is the true
societal ill. Undershaft, the wealthy arms dealer, argues that a system focused solely
on wealth creation breeds desperation, making poverty the root cause of the very
problems charity like his daughter Barbara's Salvation Army tries to solve. This
charity itself becomes suspect. The Army's good works are funded by Undershaft's
very industry, raising the troubling question of whether it truly alleviates suffering or
simply manages it for the sake of maintaining the status quo. Further complicating
matters is the clash between traditional morality and the ruthless pursuit of profit
inherent in capitalism. Undershaft embodies this tension, achieving immense
success through potentially destructive means. His power, built on wealth, throws
the system's fairness into question. "Major Barbara" doesn't provide clear-cut
answers. However, by exposing these issues – the moral ambiguity of wealth, the
limitations of charity, and the power imbalances within the system – Shaw forces
viewers to confront the true cost of capitalism and grapple with its ethical
implications.
 5. Good vs. Evil: "Major Barbara" by George Bernard Shaw throws a wrench into
traditional notions of good versus evil. Here's how, in about 200 words:

 Subjective Morality: Characters define good and evil differently. Major Barbara sees her
Salvation Army work as inherently good, while her wealthy father, Undershaft, views
poverty as the true evil. Even within the Army, characters like Bodger (a whiskey
distiller) raise questions about the source of "good" funds.
 Blurred Lines: The play dismantles clear distinctions. Undershaft's arms factory, a
source of suffering, provides the means to elevate the poor workers' lives. The Salvation
Army, a symbol of good, relies on potentially tainted money. Charity becomes a tool for
managing social problems rather than true eradication.
 Shades of Gray: Shaw doesn't portray characters as purely good or evil. Barbara's
dedication to the Army is admirable, yet she's blind to its financial dependence.
Undershaft, a ruthless businessman, offers a path out of poverty for his workers. The
play suggests good and evil are often intertwined, forcing audiences to grapple with
moral complexity.

6. Punishment and Forgiveness:

In "Major Barbara," the concept of punishment and forgiveness takes on a complex

social dimension, challenging traditional views. Here's how, in about 200 words:

 Poverty as Punishment: Undershaft argues that poverty itself is the punishment for
societal failures. The play suggests that the system, focused on wealth creation, creates
a cycle of despair where poverty becomes a self-perpetuating punishment for the
unfortunate.
 The Limits of Forgiveness: Major Barbara grapples with the limitations of forgiveness.
Can she forgive her father, who profits from the very arms trade that creates the
suffering she tries to alleviate? Forgiveness becomes intertwined with accepting a
system that perpetuates suffering.
 Redemption vs. Resignation: The play questions whether punishment leads to
redemption. Charity, meant to offer a path out of poverty, becomes a way to manage
 the problem, not solve it. Characters like Barbara struggle with the idea that the
"punished" poor may never truly be redeemed within the existing system.
 Undeserved Consequences: Undershaft escapes punishment for his actions. His wealth
and power shield him from societal consequences. This raises questions about justice
and the distribution of punishment within a capitalist system.

"Major Barbara" doesn't offer easy answers. It challenges audiences to consider

punishment not just on an individual level, but within the broader context of social
structures and economic inequality.

7. Conflict between Real Life and Romantic Imagination.

In "Major Barbara," George Bernard Shaw explores the friction between romantic ideals
and the harsh realities of life. Here's how, in about 200 words:

 Disillusionment of Major Barbara: Initially, Barbara sees the world through rose-tinted
glasses. She believes her Salvation Army work is a heroic fight against poverty.
However, her father, Undershaft, shatters this illusion, revealing the money funding her
efforts comes from his arms factory, a source of suffering.
 Love and Duty Clash: Barbara's romantic notions of charity clash with her love for her
father. Can she reconcile her devotion to the Army with accepting his wealth built on the
very suffering she fights?
 Practicality vs. Dreams: The play contrasts idealistic dreams with practical solutions.
Undershaft argues his factories offer a path out of poverty for the working class, even if
through war production. This challenges Barbara's romanticized view of charity as a
pure force for good.
 Finding Meaning in Reality: "Major Barbara" doesn't endorse escapist romanticism.
Instead, it suggests finding purpose and meaning by confronting the complexities of the
real world. Barbara's journey highlights the need to adapt one's idealistic vision to
create genuine social change.
 9. Society and Class:

In "Major Barbara," George Bernard Shaw explores the friction between romantic ideals
and the harsh realities of life. Here's how, in about 200 words:

 Disillusionment of Major Barbara: Initially, Barbara sees the world through rose-tinted
glasses. She believes her Salvation Army work is a heroic fight against poverty.
However, her father, Undershaft, shatters this illusion, revealing the money funding her
efforts comes from his arms factory, a source of suffering.
 Love and Duty Clash: Barbara's romantic notions of charity clash with her love for her
father. Can she reconcile her devotion to the Army with accepting his wealth built on the
very suffering she fights?
 Practicality vs. Dreams: The play contrasts idealistic dreams with practical solutions.
Undershaft argues his factories offer a path out of poverty for the working class, even if
through war production. This challenges Barbara's romanticized view of charity as a
pure force for good.
 Finding Meaning in Reality: "Major Barbara" doesn't endorse escapist romanticism.
Instead, it suggests finding purpose and meaning by confronting the complexities of the
real world. Barbara's journey highlights the need to adapt one's idealistic vision to
create genuine social change.

10. War

Absolutely! Here's how war is a central theme in "Major Barbara," explored in about 200
words:

 The Engine of Industry: Undershaft's arms factory embodies the play's exploration of
war. His wealth and power stem from weapons production, directly fueling conflict and
human suffering. This industry becomes a microcosm of the larger forces propelling
war.
 Moral Complexity: The play doesn't paint war as simply good or evil. Undershaft argues
that war is inevitable and even necessary for societal progress. He highlights the
hypocrisy of those who denounce war while benefiting from its economic ripples.
 The Cost of Progress: "Major Barbara" forces audiences to confront the true cost of
progress achieved through war. Undershaft's factories lift some out of poverty, but at the
expense of the lives lost in armed conflict.
 Beyond Charity: The play questions the effectiveness of charity like the Salvation Army
in a world fueled by war. Can social problems be truly solved while the underlying cause
– the arms industry – thrives?

By placing war at the center of the narrative, Shaw compels viewers to grapple with its
ethical and social ramifications. It's not just about the battles themselves, but the vast
network of industry, wealth, and suffering that surrounds them.

Religion.

In "Major Barbara," religion isn't a straightforward theme; it's a battleground of ideas.

Here's how, in about 200 words:

 Traditional Faith vs. Social Action: Major Barbara embodies traditional faith, seeing the
Salvation Army as a beacon of hope and salvation. However, her father, Undershaft,
challenges this by suggesting true good comes from empowering people, not just
offering spiritual solace.
 Questioning Purpose: The play questions the effectiveness of traditional religious
approaches to poverty. Charity becomes a sticking plaster on a gaping wound, while the
root causes of suffering – like economic inequality – remain unaddressed.
 Morality vs. Power: Undershaft argues that wealth, even if amassed through the arms
trade, allows him to exert a powerful influence. This raises questions about whether
traditional religious values can compete with the power dynamics of the real world.
 Adapting Faith: "Major Barbara" doesn't advocate abandoning religion. Instead, it
suggests that faith needs to adapt to address social issues. Barbara's journey hints at a
potential evolution of her beliefs, where religion and social action can work together for
a more just world.

The play doesn't offer easy answers. It compels audiences to examine the role of
religion in a complex society, questioning whether traditional forms of faith can truly
address the challenges of the modern world.

1. Power:
- Explanation: The theme of power is central to the play, showcasing how different
characters wield power and the impact it has on society.
- Quote: "Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of
power, corrupt power." - Andrew Undershaft

2. Anarchy and Freedom:

- Explanation: The play explores the concepts of anarchy and freedom through
Undershaft's beliefs and actions.
- Quote: "I am the government of your country... I am your king." - Andrew Undershaft

3. Critique of Capitalism:
- Explanation: Shaw critiques capitalist societies by highlighting the issues of poverty
and the pursuit of wealth.
- Quote: "The greatest of evils and the worst of crimes is poverty." - Andrew
Undershaft

4. Moralism and Hypocrisy:

 - Explanation: The play exposes the hypocrisy in moralistic societies where actions do
not align with professed beliefs.
- Quote: "The man who has no money is poor, but one who has nothing but money is
poorer still." - Andrew Undershaft

5. Good vs. Evil:

- Explanation: Different characters have varying definitions of good and evil, leading to
conflicts within the play.
- Quote: "Poverty blights whole cities; spreads horrible pestilences; strikes dead the
very souls of all who come within sight, sound or smell of it." - Andrew Undershaft

6. Punishment and Forgiveness:

- Explanation: The theme of forgiveness is explored through the Salvation Army's
radical approach to offering forgiveness.
- Quote: "You have learnt something. That always feels at first as if you had lost
something." - Barbara Undershaft

7. Conflict between Real Life and Romantic Imagination:

- Explanation: Shaw challenges romantic ideals by presenting characters who must
confront the realities of life.
- Quote: "The true joy in life is to be a force of fortune instead of a feverish, selfish little
clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to
making you happy." - Andrew Undershaft

8. Pragmatism vs. Idealism:

- Explanation: The tension between pragmatism and idealism is evident in how
characters approach societal issues.
- Quote: "The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who
writes about all people and all time." - George Bernard Shaw

9. Society and Class:

 - Explanation: The play delves into societal structures and class dynamics,
highlighting how they influence characters' actions.
- Quote: "The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by
holding up to you a mirror in which you can see a noble image of yourself." - George
Bernard Shaw

10. War:
- Explanation: The theme of war is subtly present in the play through the Salvation
Army's spiritual battle against sin.
- Quote: "You'll never have a quiet world till you knock the patriotism out of the
human race." - Andrew Undershaft

11. Redemption:
- Explanation: Characters seek redemption in various forms, whether through
salvation from poverty or spiritual enlightenment.
- Quote: "There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart's desire. The
other is to get it." - George Bernard Shaw

12. The Role of Religion:

- Explanation: Religion plays a significant role in shaping characters' beliefs and
actions throughout the play.
- Quote: "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false,
and by rulers as useful." - Seneca