Book Review: Mrs Warren’s Profession By Bernard Shaw

Before the Modern Era, literary writers neglected issues that were considered too delicate to write on. However, during the Modern Era (about 1900), writers realized that the world is no longer simple. They realized that the world was confusing and complicated, and that they needed to tell the truth, not cover it up with multiple layers of lies. So, they started to look at subjects that were too delicate to write on. A very good example of this is Benares Shaw who wrote about prostitution in Mrs Warren’s Profession. The modern era is a period of monumental and profound changes. Mankind experienced changes that it had never seen before. An example of these changes is that writers saw the world differently and changed their writing style in respect to that.

In simple words, before and even during the Modern Era. Subjects that were accepted by the community were about good virtues. For example, society appreciated works exploring honesty, hard work, dedication and so on. However, they neglected delicate subjects like all levels of corruption. This doesn’t mean that there was no corruption at that time. Writers just neglected such subjects. However, with the coming of the Modern Era, writers realized that they needed to say the truth. The situation of the society birthed Bernard Shaw's Mrs Warren’s Profession.

About The Book

Mrs Warren’s Profession was written by Bernard Shaw, an Irish writer and playwright. The play is about prostitution. As I mentioned earlier, during the Modern Era, writers looked at subjects that were too delicate or immoral to write on. For this, their works (and even them) faced criticisms from the government and people. According to Benares Shaw, the subject of prostitution was not only neglected, but portrayed through a deceitful perspective. Instead of telling the truth about prostitution, writers would often present a beautiful young girl facing moral dilemmas, insteading of pressing it as an I’ll to society. Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession was written and published in 1893 but was not performed until 1902. This is because the chief editor felt the play was immoral and inappropriate. It is safe to assume that Bernard Shaw faced criticisms and even had to go to court before this play was performed.

Plot Summary

The play opens with an apology. The first part of the book is titled “The Author’s Apology.” Reading the title of the first part, one would assume that The Author’s Apology is about Bernard Shaw apologizing to his audience about writing on a delicate subject, but rather than an apology, Shaw reveals that although the play explores a delicate subject, the message is necessary and must be passed across. According to Shaw, prostitution has damaged society because they refuse to talk about it.

The play opens with Vivian Warren, the daughter of Mrs Warren. She had just graduated from Cambridge University, one of the most prestigious universities, with a degree in mathematics. Vivian lived most of her life without her parents. For starters, she never knew her father. On the other hand, her mother, who happens to be a very rich person, paid for all her expenses in her foster home and would often visit her once in a while. The play opens with Vivian having a conversation with Pread. She tells him that she wants to work and make her own money, not to enjoy someone else’s. We find that Vivian represents the concept of New Woman during the Modern Era. Before the Modern Era, women depended on men for resources. They were seen as “tools,” incapable of doing anything. However, with the rise of Modern Era, they started doing things. A large percentage of them became writers while other used their hands to work. This brought the concept of New Woman.

Mr Prad is happy that Vivian wants to be dependent. He says that he is happy that Mrs Warren, her mother hasn’t spoilt her. We find that Vivian knows little about her mother because she didn’t grow up with them. As the narrative progresses, the author introduces us to new characters; Frant, Croft, Reverend Samuel and Mrs Warren. The author reveals Mrs Warren’s Profession. Apparently, Mrs Warren had an ugly past. To fend for herself, she had to become a prostitute. Growing in the business, she became a boss- the owner of multiple brotels. Revered Samuel, Frank’s father and Croft was once her customers. Reverend Samuel used to be in love with Mrs Warren. He’d send her letters, confessing his feelings. He bribed her with 40 pounds not to expose his secrets.

The author introduces us to Frank who is in love with Vivian Warren. Not only is he in love with her because of her brains, but also because of her money. However, Mrs Warren is againt their union. In a heated discussion, Mrs Warren reveals that Reverend Samuel is Vivian’s father (which makes it that Frank and Vivian are siblings.) She also reveals to her daughter that she was once into prostitution. Vivian appreciates her for telling the truth. She thinks her mother had stopped being a prostitute years ago, but she later finds out that she is still into the profession. Why? She loves the money she gets from it (prostitution.) Angrily, Vivian storms out of the house, vowing to make her own money, not to end up like her mother. Do you think Vivian will ever forgive her mother? Do you think Mrs Warren will close down her brotels and start to make her own money legitimately?

MY NOTES ON THE BOOK

“What do I think about Mrs Warren?” I asked myself this question when I completed the book. You see, Mrs Warren had a challenging past. She grew up in a poor family and had to resort to prostitution to survive. However, she quickly moved up the rank, made enough money and became the owner of a brothel. Do you think Mrs Warren should have stopped after making enough money from IT?

Let’s use another example as a case study. If you steal a food because you are hungry, it is bad but agreeable. To some extent, it is fair enough. But, when you continue to steal even after you’ve had enough, then that it is really bad. It is right that Vivian Warren left her mother to be on her own. If not, maybe she’d end up like her.

In this book, George Bernard Shaw condemns society that gives opportunity for these immoralities. He condemns the social and financial conditions tht gives ground to the act (prostitution).

This book is a nice read. In my opinion, it deserves a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to book lovers who are of legal age.

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