About this book
George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession confronts Victorian morality with unflinching directness in this revolutionary dramatic work. When Cambridge-educated Vivie Warren discovers the scandalous source of her mother's considerable wealth, she faces an impossible choice between filial duty and moral conviction, setting off a collision between respectability and uncomfortable truth that scandalized audiences upon its 1894 publication.
Shaw crafted this provocative play to expose the hypocrisy underlying polite society, refusing to condemn Mrs. Warren while demanding that audiences confront their own complicity in systems that leave women few options for survival and advancement. The relationship between mother and daughter becomes a battleground where practical necessity clashes with idealistic principle, forcing both characters—and listeners—to question easy judgments about morality, class, and female independence.
Delayed eight years before its first performance due to censorship concerns, this audacious drama ultimately vindicated Shaw's artistic vision, proving that challenging plays could move audiences beyond comfortable assumptions. The dialogue crackles with wit and intelligence, while the underlying argument remains disturbingly relevant.
Perfect for listeners interested in classic literature that dares to provoke, feminist theatre history, or anyone seeking thought-provoking drama that refuses simple answers to complex social questions.
