Subject
Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century -- Drama Books
Best books
Bernard Shaw
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.
Bernard Shaw
Mevr. Warren's Bedrijf
"Mevr. Warren's Bedrijf" by Bernard Shaw is a problem play written in 1893. When accomplished university graduate Vivie Warren finally meets her distant mother, she discovers the shocking truth about how Mrs Warren built her fortune. The play examines the economic forces that drive women into prostitution and challenges Victorian moral hypocrisy. As Vivie grapples with her mother's past and present choices, their relationship fractures over questions of necessity, respectability, and independence. Shaw crafted this controversial work to expose how poverty, not immorality, creates prostitution.
Arthur Wing Pinero
The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith
"The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a play first produced in 1895. Agnes Ebbsmith is a radical critic of marriage and champion of free love, living unmarried in Venice with Lucas, a politician who abandoned his wife and career for her. They plan to lecture and campaign together against social conventions. But when Lucas's relatives arrive to "arrange" matters, Agnes discovers her partner may not share her revolutionary convictions. As pressure mounts from family and friends, Agnes must confront whether her ideals can withstand reality.
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