Major Barbara

Guide Note:

George Bernard Shaw's play Major Barbara is centered around the title character, Major Barbara Undershaft of the Salvation Army in West Ham. At the beginning of the play the upper class Lady Britomart decides to accept money from her estranged husband Andrew Undershaft even though they are separated due to difference in opinion about money. Mr. Undershaft, who as a young man had been poor and stayed at a Salvation Army shelter, is now a wealthy man from the money he made from his munitions factory.

Upon being reintroduced to his children Mr. Undershaft and Major Barbara decide that he should visit the Salvation Army shelter where she works and she should visit his factory. Mr. Undershaft is impressed by her work and decides that she is the best person to take over his factory. Mr. Undershaft gives a large donation which is accepted despite the fact that the money came from weapons. Major Barbara feels this is hypocrisy because weapons go against the ideals of the organization and leaves in tears. During the visit to Mr. Undershaft's factory he meets Major Barbara's fiance Adolphus Cusins who claims to be an orphan and, thus, according to tradition can become head and heir of the factory. He then learns that Adolphus Cusins lied about his family, but agrees to let him be the head and heir as long as he amends his behavior.

Major Barbara considers leaving the Salvation Army because they took the money from weapons sales, but changes her mind and decides that she will bring her message of salvation to the factory workers. In contrast to Major Barbara George Bernard Shaw states in his preface that he believes taking the money is acceptable.

Fast Facts:

1. First performed in 1905
2. Set in January 1906
3. Written by George Bernard Shaw
4. A three act play
5. First performance at the Royal Court Theatre in London
6. First published in 1907
7. Criticizes Christianity and the The Salvation Army
8. Set in Perivale Saint Andrews, Lady Britomart's library, and the Salvation Army Shelter
9. Opened on Broadway in 1915
10. 1956 revival won a Tony Award for Best Stage Technician
11. 1980 revival nominated for a Tony Award
12. Revived by the National Theater in 2008

Important Quotation

1. He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.