13.1 Shaw's social criticism and wit

George Bernard Shaw's plays blend wit and social criticism, challenging societal norms through clever dialogue and paradoxical humor. His works expose the absurdities of British society, using intellectual comedy to provoke thought and question conventional wisdom.

Shaw's Fabian socialist ideology underpins his dramatic style, advocating for gradual reform and critiquing class hierarchy. His "plays of ideas" subvert Victorian morality and traditional dramatic forms, using characters to debate complex social and political issues.

Shavian Wit and Intellectual Comedy

Clever Dialogue and Paradoxical Humor

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• Shaw's plays are known for their witty, intelligent dialogue that often relies on paradox, irony, and clever wordplay to expose the absurdities of society and human behavior (Arms and the Man, Pygmalion)
• Characters engage in verbal sparring matches, exchanging sharp retorts and witticisms that challenge conventional wisdom and reveal deeper truths about the human condition
• Shaw's humor is cerebral and thought-provoking, requiring audiences to engage intellectually with the play's ideas and themes rather than merely seeking superficial entertainment
• Shavian wit often subverts audience expectations by presenting seemingly contradictory or counterintuitive statements that force viewers to question their assumptions and see things from a fresh perspective

Satirical Critique of Social Norms and Institutions

• Shaw uses comedy as a vehicle for social satire, poking fun at the follies, hypocrisies, and absurdities of contemporary society in order to expose its flaws and advocate for change
• His plays often target specific social institutions, such as marriage, religion, education, and the class system, revealing how they perpetuate inequality, stifle individual freedom, and hinder human progress (Mrs. Warren's Profession, Major Barbara)
• Through humorous exaggeration and caricature, Shaw lampoons the pretensions and prejudices of various social types, from the aristocracy to the working class, highlighting the ways in which they are all complicit in maintaining an unjust status quo
• By making audiences laugh at the very things they take for granted, Shaw encourages them to adopt a more critical, questioning attitude toward the social norms and values they have inherited, paving the way for reform and progress

Social and Political Commentary

Fabian Socialist Ideology and Advocacy for Gradual Reform

• Shaw was a prominent member of the Fabian Society, a socialist organization that advocated for the gradual, peaceful transformation of society through education, persuasion, and political action rather than violent revolution
• His plays often reflect Fabian socialist principles, such as the belief in the common ownership of the means of production, the equitable distribution of wealth, and the need for a strong, interventionist state to regulate the economy and protect the welfare of its citizens (Widowers' Houses, The Apple Cart)
• Shaw uses his plays as a platform to critique the excesses and inequities of capitalism, exposing how it exploits the working class, concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few, and perpetuates poverty, ignorance, and suffering
• At the same time, he rejects the Marxist notion of class warfare and violent overthrow of the bourgeoisie, instead advocating for a gradualist approach to social change that seeks to persuade the ruling class to adopt socialist policies through rational argument and moral suasion

Criticism of Class Hierarchy and Social Inequality

• Shaw's plays are scathing indictments of the British class system, which he saw as a major obstacle to social progress and individual fulfillment
• He exposes the ways in which class distinctions are arbitrary, artificial constructs that serve to maintain the power and privilege of the elite at the expense of the majority (Pygmalion, Heartbreak House)
• Shaw satirizes the snobbery, pretentiousness, and moral hypocrisy of the upper classes, revealing how their supposed superiority is based on nothing more than accident of birth and inherited wealth rather than intrinsic merit or virtue
• At the same time, he also critiques the passivity, ignorance, and servility of the lower classes, arguing that they must educate themselves and assert their rights in order to break free from the chains of oppression and achieve true equality (Man and Superman)

Political Commentary and Advocacy for Social Reform

• Shaw uses his plays as a vehicle for political commentary, addressing a wide range of issues such as women's rights, labor relations, imperialism, and international relations (Mrs. Warren's Profession, Major Barbara, Heartbreak House)
• He exposes the corruption, incompetence, and shortsightedness of politicians and government officials, arguing that they often prioritize their own self-interest over the common good and are beholden to powerful special interests
• Shaw advocates for a range of social reforms, such as the abolition of private property, the establishment of a universal basic income, the provision of free education and healthcare, and the emancipation of women from traditional gender roles and restrictions
• His plays seek to raise public consciousness about the need for these reforms and to mobilize support for the Fabian socialist agenda, using humor, wit, and intellectual persuasion to win over audiences to his point of view

Dramatic Style and Themes

Didactic Drama and the Play of Ideas

• Shaw pioneered a new form of "didactic drama" or "play of ideas" that sought to educate and enlighten audiences rather than merely entertain them
• His plays are structured around a central theme or argument, which is explored and developed through the dialogue and actions of the characters (Man and Superman, Major Barbara)
• Shaw uses his characters as mouthpieces for different ideological positions, having them engage in lengthy, philosophical debates and discussions that expose the complexity and nuances of the issues at hand
• The dramatic conflict in Shaw's plays often arises from the clash of opposing ideas and worldviews, with characters struggling to reconcile their beliefs with the realities of their social and political context

Subversion of Victorian Morality and Conventional Dramatic Forms

• Shaw was a vocal critic of Victorian morality, which he saw as hypocritical, repressive, and detrimental to human happiness and fulfillment
• His plays often challenge and subvert the prevailing moral norms of his time, such as the sanctity of marriage, the sexual double standard, and the glorification of war and imperialism (Arms and the Man, Getting Married)
• Shaw rejects the melodramatic conventions and sentimentality of Victorian theater, instead favoring a more realistic, naturalistic style that emphasizes character development, intellectual discourse, and social commentary
• He also experiments with unconventional dramatic forms and techniques, such as the use of lengthy prefaces, epilogues, and stage directions to convey his ideas and intentions, breaking the fourth wall, and blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction (Pygmalion, Heartbreak House)