Author
Bernard Shaw
1856-1950
Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Bernard Shaw
Pygmalion
"Pygmalion" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1912. When phonetics professor Henry Higgins boasts he can transform a Cockney flower girl into a duchess simply by teaching her proper speech, Colonel Pickering takes the bet. Eliza Doolittle arrives at Higgins's door seeking lessons to improve her prospects, setting in motion a social experiment that will test class boundaries and personal transformation. This witty comedy became Shaw's most popular work, later inspiring the musical "My Fair Lady."
Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy
"Man and Superman: A Comedy and a Philosophy" by Bernard Shaw is a four-act drama written in 1903. Shaw reimagines the Don Juan myth through John Tanner, a revolutionary thinker who becomes guardian to the charming Ann Whitefield. As Ann pursues Tanner for marriage despite his anarchist ideals, the play explores philosophical questions about human evolution and the life force. The famous third act, "Don Juan in Hell," features a philosophical debate in Hell and is often performed separately or omitted entirely from productions.
Mrs. Warren's Profession
"Mrs. Warren's Profession" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1893. It centers on Vivie Warren, a bright university graduate who finally meets her estranged mother—only to discover she's a former prostitute and current brothel owner. As their relationship unfolds, Vivie must grapple with her mother's past choices and present business dealings. Shaw crafted this problem play to argue that prostitution stems from economic necessity rather than moral failure, challenging Victorian society's hypocrisies about women's limited opportunities.
Arms and the Man
"Arms and the Man" by George Bernard Shaw is a comedy first produced in 1894. Set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, the play follows Raina, an idealistic young Bulgarian woman engaged to a battlefield hero, whose romantic notions are challenged when a pragmatic Swiss mercenary takes refuge in her bedroom. Shaw humorously exposes the futility of war and the hypocrisies of human nature as characters grapple with the gap between romantic ideals and reality, leading to unexpected revelations and shifting allegiances.
An Unsocial Socialist
"An Unsocial Socialist" by George Bernard Shaw is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story, infused with Shaw's signature wit and social commentary, revolves around the complexities of socialism and individualism, as depicted through a series of engaging interactions among its characters, primarily focusing on young women and their experiences in a college setting. The opening of the novel introduces us to a serene October evening at an English country house, where Miss Wilson, a sensible woman, monitors the antics of her students, Miss Wylie, Miss Carpenter, and Miss Lindsay. The scene unfolds as the girls hastily descend the stairs amid laughter, creating a lively atmosphere that quickly turns to tension when Miss Wilson reprimands them for breaking the rules. Their playful exchanges transition into moments of conflict, touching on themes of rebellion and the struggle against authority. The interactions between the girls reflect their distinct personalities, setting the stage for further exploration of their relationships and the implications of social norms within the context of their education.
Major Barbara
"Major Barbara" by Bernard Shaw is a three-act play written and premiered in 1905. The story follows Barbara Undershaft, an idealistic Salvation Army officer, whose work helping London's poor is challenged when her estranged father reappears as a wealthy munitions manufacturer. When he donates his "tainted" money to the Salvation Army, Barbara faces a moral crisis. Her father argues that providing steady employment does more good than charity work, forcing Barbara to confront difficult questions about poverty, wealth, and how to truly help society.
Caesar and Cleopatra
"Caesar and Cleopatra" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1898 that depicts a fictionalised account of the relationship between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. Shaw portrays the sixteen-year-old Egyptian queen meeting the Roman conqueror, deliberately avoiding romantic overtones to focus on political themes and parallels with British imperialism. Drawing from Mommsen's admiring historical account rather than Shakespeare's treatment, Shaw presents Caesar as a wise leader guiding a fearful young ruler. The play contrasts sharply with Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra," offering Shaw's vision of "real" characters over "love-obsessed" ones.
Heartbreak House
"Heartbreak House" by Bernard Shaw is a play written during the First World War and published in 1919. Set in a ship-shaped house, the work brings together an eccentric inventor, his self-absorbed daughters, and their guests for a disastrous dinner party. As romantic entanglements collide with political irresponsibility, Shaw depicts a society adrift—cultured yet rudderless, detached from reality as war literally drops from the sky. This darkly comic fantasia reflects Shaw's disillusionment with Britain, contrasting elegant indifference against aggressive philistinism in a nation heading toward catastrophe.
Candida
"Candida" by Bernard Shaw is a comedy written in 1894. A young poet falls in love with Candida, the wife of a successful clergyman, and attempts to win her away from what he sees as her mundane domestic life. The play challenges Victorian assumptions about love and marriage, asking what women truly desire from their husbands. Candida must ultimately choose between her devoted husband and her passionate admirer—but her choice reveals unexpected truths about strength, dependency, and the nature of love itself.
You Never Can Tell
"You Never Can Tell" by George Bernard Shaw is a four-act play written in 1897. Mrs. Clandon returns to England with her three children after eighteen years abroad, but the children have no idea who their father is. Through a comedy of errors, they end up inviting him to a family lunch. Meanwhile, a dentist named Valentine falls for Gloria, the eldest daughter who claims to have no interest in love or marriage. A wise waiter dispenses advice with the play's titular phrase as identities become confused and comic situations unfold.
Misalliance
"Misalliance" by George Bernard Shaw is a play written in the late 19th century (Victorian era). The narrative revolves around Johnny Tarleton, a young business man, and his interactions with Bentley Summerhays, who aspires to marry Johnny's sister, Hypatia. The play explores themes of class, gender roles, and the complexities of human relationships through witty dialogues and a series of humorous confrontations. The opening of the play introduces Johnny Tarleton in his father's house, where he is enjoying a relaxing weekend. Soon, his friend Bentley Summerhays arrives and struck by tension between their contrasting personalities, a heated argument about social status and what it means to be a man ensues. This conflict is further complicated by the presence of Hypatia, who navigates her own feelings and expectations regarding marriage and societal roles, as well as the family dynamics involving Johnny and their parents. The conversations and character dynamics set the stage for a comedic exploration of misalliances in love and society, foreshadowing a dramatic incident as an aeroplane crashes into their lives, bringing unexpected developments.
The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring
"The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring" by Bernard Shaw is a philosophical commentary published in 1898. Shaw offers a radical reinterpretation of Wagner's Ring cycle, reading it as a Marxist allegory about capitalism's collapse rather than a simple fairy tale. He argues the work depicts "the whole tragedy of human history" and contemporary dilemmas, accessible only to those with wider consciousness beyond domestic concerns and conventional thinking. Shaw also traces Wagner's shift from music drama back toward traditional opera.
Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch
"Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch" by Bernard Shaw is a cycle of five plays written between 1918 and 1920. Shaw proposes a radical solution to humanity's problems: people must evolve to live for centuries instead of decades. Only through extended lifespans, he argues, can humans gain the wisdom needed to govern complex civilizations. The plays span from the Garden of Eden to the year 31,920, exploring how humanity might transform through Creative Evolution and the Life Force to achieve this extraordinary longevity.
The Dark Lady of the Sonnets
"The Dark Lady of the Sonnets" by George Bernard Shaw is a short comedy written in 1910. The play imagines William Shakespeare waiting at Whitehall Palace for a secret meeting with his mysterious lover. Instead, he accidentally encounters Queen Elizabeth I and seizes the opportunity to pitch an ambitious idea: the creation of a national theatre. Shaw wrote this witty one-act play as part of a real campaign to establish a Shakespeare National Theatre by 1916, blending historical figures with literary mystery and theatrical ambition.
The Man of Destiny
"The Man of Destiny" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1897, set during Napoleon's early Italian campaign. After victory at the Battle of Lodi, Napoleon discovers crucial military dispatches have been stolen. When a mysterious woman appears claiming her brother took them, a battle of wits ensues. She eventually returns the documents but warns Napoleon against reading one particular letter—a revelation that could trigger scandal and duels. As tensions mount, the truth about the woman's identity and Napoleon's marriage hangs in the balance.
Androcles and the Lion
"Androcles and the Lion" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1912. It retells the ancient fable of a Christian slave who removes a thorn from a lion's paw. When Androcles is later sentenced to die in the Roman Colosseum, he faces the same grateful lion in the arena. Shaw crafted this work as a response to religious melodramas and children's plays he found lacking, blending humor, faith, and unexpected mercy into a tale of compassion rewarded.
Treatise on Parents and Children
"A Treatise on Parents and Children" by Bernard Shaw is a philosophical inquiry written in the late 19th century. This work explores the complex relationship between parents and children, questioning societal norms and advocating for a re-evaluation of how children are raised and treated. Shaw delves into the rights of children, the responsibilities of parents, and the implications of childhood education, making a case for recognizing children as autonomous individuals with their own needs and aspirations. The opening of the treatise sets a provocative tone by emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the continuous process of human development. Shaw challenges traditional views on childhood, which depict it as a mere preparatory phase for adulthood, and he argues that society often treats children as property lacking rights. He critiques the ways in which children are molded by parental expectations and societal pressures, suggesting that this often leads to the manufacture of moral and intellectual 'monsters.' Through sharp observations and rhetorical questioning, he encourages readers to consider the consequences of denying children their agency and the importance of fostering their natural inclinations rather than imposing arbitrary standards of behavior or belief.
Getting Married
"Getting Married" by Bernard Shaw is a play first performed in 1908. When a bride and groom each discover a troubling pamphlet about marriage laws on their wedding day, they refuse to proceed with the ceremony. As family members gather, they debate divorce, contracts, and the future of marriage itself. Through witty dialogue and satirical exchanges, Shaw examines the legal and social constraints of matrimony in Edwardian England, questioning whether marriage can be reformed or must simply be endured.
The Doctor's Dilemma: Preface on Doctors
"The Doctor's Dilemma: Preface on Doctors" by Bernard Shaw is a provocative essay written in the early 20th century. Shaw challenges the ethics and practices of the medical profession, arguing that the current medical system is fraught with absurdities and conflicts of interest, where doctors may prioritize financial gain over patient well-being. Through a critical lens, he reflects on the implications of surgical procedures and the moral responsibilities of medical practitioners in a society that often blindly trusts them. At the start of the text, Shaw presents a scathing critique of the medical profession, suggesting that it operates under a dangerous system where doctors profit from procedures that may not be necessary. He makes a compelling case that the financial incentives lead to unnecessary surgeries and medical interventions, thus undermining the integrity of genuine medical care. Shaw describes how the public's fear of illness and desperation for cures allows the medical profession to thrive, despite its many ethical dilemmas. He introduces the idea that doctors are as susceptible to human failings as anyone else, and he examines the troubling relationship between doctors and patients, where trust is heavily tested by financial motivations and societal expectations.
The Doctor's Dilemma
"The Doctor's Dilemma" by Bernard Shaw is a play first staged in 1906. It explores moral conflicts created by limited medical resources when a doctor discovers a tuberculosis cure but can only treat ten patients. When asked to save one more person, he must choose between a selfless medical colleague or a brilliant but immoral artist—a decision complicated by his attraction to the artist's wife. The play satirizes the medical profession's tension between public service and private gain.
The Devil's Disciple
"The Devil's Disciple" by George Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1897. Set during the American Revolutionary War in colonial New Hampshire, it follows Richard Dudgeon, a local outcast who proudly calls himself a "devil's disciple." When British soldiers arrive to arrest the town minister, Richard makes a shocking sacrifice that defies his rebellious reputation. Shaw's paradoxical tale explores themes of heroism and hypocrisy as characters reveal unexpected depths when faced with life-or-death choices.
On the Prospects of Christianity Bernard Shaw's Preface to Androcles and the Lion
"On the Prospects of Christianity" by Bernard Shaw is a philosophical examination of Christianity, written in the early 20th century. Shaw critiques the traditional interpretations and practices of Christianity, wondering why its principles have not been genuinely implemented in the political or social sphere despite its long history. The text poses challenging questions regarding the figure of Jesus Christ, his significance compared to other historical figures, and the implications of salvation and morality in modern times. The opening of the work sets the tone for Shaw's inquiry into the relevance and authenticity of Christianity today. He begins by referencing the choice made by the people to free Barabbas over Jesus during the crucifixion, suggesting a failure to adopt Jesus's teachings over a more worldly perspective represented by Barabbas. Shaw articulates his skepticism, comparing the practical implications of Jesus’s message with the results from the affluent and respectable society that has largely rejected it. He promises to explore the key doctrines attributed to Christ and argues for a reevaluation of gospel teachings in light of modern economic and social realities, emphasizing a need to infuse these teachings with practical relevance rather than mere dogma.
John Bull's Other Island
"John Bull's Other Island" by George Bernard Shaw is a comedy written in 1904. An Irish expatriate and his English business partner travel to rural Ireland to develop land into a resort. The idealistic Englishman charms the locals while the pragmatic Irishman sees through romantic illusions about his homeland. As business schemes unfold, questions of identity, politics, and Ireland's future collide. Shaw's satire explores the complex relationship between Ireland and England through sharp wit and conflicting worldviews.
How He Lied to Her Husband
"How He Lied to Her Husband" by Bernard Shaw is a one-act comedy play written in 1904. Created in just four days as a response to the success of his earlier work "Candida," this satirical farce follows a tangled situation involving a poet, his muse, and her husband. When compromising love poems go missing, panic ensues—but the confrontation takes an unexpected turn that subverts romantic assumptions. Shaw transforms a hackneyed theatrical framework into sharp commentary on marriage, vanity, and melodramatic conventions.