English Literature: August 2022

Friday 5 August 2022

Shaw's Ann is both a Type and Individual in "Man and Superman".

The creation of Ann Whitefield is a one of the landmark achievements of the dramatist George Bernard Shaw. Through the character of Ann, Shaw represents his own thought and role of woman. The entire action of Man and Superman revolves round Ann. Ann is both type and individual. Ann represents every woman but every woman is not Ann. In Man and Superman, Shaw puts forth his idea of Life Force. In that sense, Ann is the agent of Life Force. This idea tends the reader to think Ann both as an individual being and as a typical woman with some vital genius.

How far is Shaw's Theory of Creative Evolution Different from Darwin's theory of Evolution?

At the age of Shaw, people were greatly influenced by the thought and theory of Darwin. In his "The Origin of the Species" Darwin expressed his view about Creative Evolution of mankind and this thought was prevailed in the mind of man without any debate But Shaw, a great rationalist thought a new and gave a different outlook about creative Evolution of mankind and this thought was prevailed in the mind of man without any debate. Shaw's idea about Creative Evolution is present in one of his greatest plays, Man and Superman.

Shaw's Plays are Essentially Plays of Ideas. Discuss

Man and Superman is a great drama of ideas. The most important element of this type of drama is its discussion about social problems. In this type of drama there is conflict of ideas and the conflict of speech instead of conflict of wills as in romantic drama. Ideas are more important than feelings. Shaw's interest is in his representing ideas not in human passions and this is so much in the ease that his language is barren of emotive suggestion. In this play Shaw represents his ideas about sex attraction, marriage, anti-romanticism, social and political conflict, and about the need of superman and life force.

Thursday 4 August 2022

Describe "Man and Superman" as a Don Juan Play.

Man and Superman, the most significant philosophical play of G.B. Shaw is a Don Juan play where he takes up the suggestions of a traditional Don Juan story and makes it to his own ends. Shaw in his drama is seen more attracted to the philosophical implications of the Don Juan story and he portrays Don Juan as the messenger of his philosophical outlooks.

Narrate the Significance of Hell Scene of "Man and Superman"

Significance of Hell Scene of "Man and Superman":

The Hell Scene is the most significant part of the drama where Shaw has expressed his philosophical outlook with utmost sincerity. The Hell Scene of the play is actually a fantasy. It might mean a parody or an adaptation. But in the play, it is more a parody than an adaptation. We get a combination of the real and the fantastic in it. The third act- the Hell Scene is abundant with mostly by the conversation of Don Juan and the Devil. By making the conversation sparkling with wit and humour, the author has made it vitally attractive. The ideas expressed in this scene are very important. All the discussions are of profound nature, but they have been carried out with perfect clarity of language.

Comment on Shaw's Use of Wit and Humour in "Man and Superman".

Shaw holds a reputed position among the English dramatists for his extra-ordinary wit and humours. His wit and humours are not merely to amuse the audience; rather they are the reflection of some ideas Shaw wants to convey.

Wednesday 3 August 2022

Discuss Octavius in "Man and Superman" is an Embodiment of Shaw's Concept of Anti-Hero.

"Man and Superman" is a play of ideas in which Shaw expresses his ideas and different outlooks. He talks about a hero, a manly figure, who is very useful for the generation to come. In this respect Octavius is a foil to the hero, as he possesses all that is opposite to Shaw's idea of a true hero. In other words, Octavius is an antihero in Shaw's play "Man and Superman". Though he is very attractive and amiable, the idea he holds makes him an unsuccessful man.

Why is Shaw's ''Arms and the Man'' Called a Drama of Ideas?

In a drama of ideas the dramatic characters give expression to the thoughts and feeling of the author. The soul of the drama is conflict. In a drama of ideas there is the conflict of ideas which is made clear to us through dialogues and discussions. In such a drama there is practically no action. The characters preach to the audience the idea of the dramatist.