Mrs Warren's Profession

1978 Words8 Pages
Social Disparities in Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” Bernard Shaw should be a required reading in any British Literature course. He was an interesting individual with messages that are still pertinent today. Shaw was obsessed with the inequalities of society which led to his interest in socialism, and he used his public persona to promote his ideas concerning social reform. Shaw viewed social inequalities between the classes and the lack of women’s rights as morally unjust. In defense of his play “Mrs. Warren’s Profession,” Shaw claimed the need to “draw attention to the truth that prostitution is caused, not by female depravity and male licentiousness, but simply by underpaying, undervaluing, and overworking women so shamefully that the poorest of them are forced to resort to prostitution to keep body and soul together.” Shaw argued that “starvation, overwork, dirt, and disease are as anti-social as prostitution.” Shaw illustrates these crucial social issues such as circumstance, necessity, knowledge, and “male licentiousness” in “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.” Synopsis Vivie felt empathy for the difficult circumstances her mother was born into. She was moved by her mother’s tears and hardships. Yet, Vivie had lived in completely different circumstances. She had no prior experiences that could allow her to relate to her mother. Vivie’s education at Cambridge University probably provided her with a lot of liberal arts background. Vivie may have studied philosophy. Yet, she did not recognize the contingency which morality may be based upon, the contingency of circumstance. No one knows how they will react until they are actually put into a certain situation, and Vivie had never been in the same position as her mother. Vivie may well have accepted Mr. Croft’s advances if she had been in a similar circumstance as her mother. According to Praed, “People who are
Open Document