This paper concentrates on Shaw's understanding of history as it is manifest in his chronicle play
Saint Joan. The attempted examination will be carried out along three aspects which are quite
clearly discernible yet closely intertwined. Broadly speaking, these aspects could be called:
1. The historical; finding out how close is Shaw to the historical facts of which he was in full
knowledge.
2. The dramatic; leaving aside the obvious "Stage Limits of Historical Representation" (Shaw's
own wording in the Preface to the play) it shall be shown how Shaw exploits optimally the
dramatic potential of Joan's story.
3. The didactic; this term being used for the sake of argument to cover Shaw's social, political
and moral concerns.
In the following chapters these three aspects will be shown in their mutual relation whereby
attention will be paid to the question of their eventual hierarchy. What was Shaw's main goal
when writing Saint Joan? Did he intend to tell what happened in France in the first half of the
15th century? Did he want to write a parable conveying pungent social criticism without having
to be too explicit? Or did he just feel like writing a good play which Saint Joan undoubtedly is?
In other words, I will try to work out the intentions underlying the interplay of the aspects
mentioned above and show how these are determined by Shaw's weltanschauung, which is to say
by his philosophical/religious conception of the creative evolution.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Shaw's Attitude to History
- Philosophical Tradition Shaping Shaw's Ideas
- The Victorian Heritage
- The Hegelian Influence
- Shaw's Adaptations of History
- Departures from History
- Dramatic Effects
- Questions Concerning the Genre
- Joan and the Life Force
- Aesthetic Considerations
- Joan's Value for the 20th Century
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, examining how Shaw's understanding of history is manifested in the play. The analysis focuses on three interconnected aspects: the historical accuracy, the dramatic effectiveness, and the didactic or social/political/moral concerns. The paper aims to determine the hierarchy of these aspects and uncover Shaw's primary goals in writing the play.
- Shaw's approach to historical accuracy and his adaptations for dramatic purposes.
- The influence of Victorian thought and other philosophical traditions on Shaw's portrayal of history.
- The dramatic techniques employed to tell Joan's story and their impact.
- The social, political, and moral messages embedded within the play.
- The evolution of Shaw's ideas regarding progress and his concept of the Life Force within the context of the play.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's focus on analyzing George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan through three lenses: the historical, the dramatic, and the didactic. It posits that these aspects are intertwined and aims to determine their relative importance in Shaw's overall intent in writing the play. The chapter raises questions about Shaw's primary goal – whether it was historical accuracy, social commentary, or purely artistic expression. It ultimately sets the stage for investigating the interplay of these aspects and their connection to Shaw's overall worldview, emphasizing the concept of creative evolution.
Shaw's Attitude to History: This chapter explores Shaw's self-perception as a playwright rather than a historian. While acknowledging his plays' successful capture of historical forces, the chapter notes Shaw's use of historical subject matter, particularly in Saint Joan, which he termed a "chronicle play." The chapter then delves into Shaw's approach to adapting historical facts for dramatic effect, highlighting his conscious alterations and interpretations, rather than a simple presentation of events. Shaw's access to Quicherat's documents and Joan's 1920 canonization are presented as factors shaping his perspective. His belief in history's educational value, contrasting with his dissatisfaction with traditional historical pedagogy, and the influence of literary figures like Shakespeare and Dickens on his understanding of history are also discussed. This chapter ultimately emphasizes Shaw's interpretive and transformative approach to historical materials rather than pure historical accuracy.
Philosophical Tradition Shaping Shaw's Ideas: This chapter investigates the intellectual currents shaping Shaw's understanding of history. While acknowledging Shaw's reluctance to acknowledge specific influences, it points to Victorian thought, particularly Carlyle's influence, as a significant factor. The chapter discusses Shaw's acceptance and rejection of various aspects of Victorian historicism, including his skepticism towards the notion of linear progress, contrasting it with his acceptance of the concept of evolution, particularly the Lamarckian approach. The significance of Shaw's concept of the Life Force, drawing on various thinkers such as Butler, Bergson, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche, is highlighted as a driving force in his evolutionary theory. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the interplay between the biological and spiritual aspects of Shaw's Life Force doctrine.
Keywords
George Bernard Shaw, Saint Joan, history, drama, didacticism, Victorian heritage, creative evolution, Life Force, historical adaptation, dramatic interpretation, social commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analyzing George Bernard Shaw's *Saint Joan*
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes George Bernard Shaw's play, Saint Joan, examining how Shaw's understanding of history is manifested in the play. It focuses on the interplay between historical accuracy, dramatic effectiveness, and the play's didactic or social/political/moral concerns, aiming to determine the hierarchy of these aspects and uncover Shaw's primary goals in writing the play.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of *Saint Joan*?
The analysis explores Shaw's approach to historical accuracy and his adaptations for dramatic purposes; the influence of Victorian thought and other philosophical traditions on Shaw's portrayal of history; the dramatic techniques employed and their impact; the social, political, and moral messages embedded within the play; and the evolution of Shaw's ideas regarding progress and his concept of the Life Force within the context of the play.
What are the different sections or chapters covered in the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, a section on Shaw's attitude towards history, a section exploring the philosophical traditions shaping Shaw's ideas (including the Victorian heritage and Hegelian influence), a section on Shaw's adaptations of history (including departures from history and dramatic effects), a section addressing questions concerning the genre of the play, a section on Joan and the Life Force, a section on aesthetic considerations, and a concluding section on Joan's value for the 20th century.
How does the paper analyze Shaw's use of history in *Saint Joan*?
The paper examines Shaw's conscious alterations and interpretations of historical facts for dramatic effect, acknowledging his self-perception as a playwright rather than a historian. It considers his access to primary sources and his understanding of history shaped by figures like Carlyle, Shakespeare, and Dickens, ultimately emphasizing his interpretive and transformative approach to historical materials.
What philosophical influences are discussed in relation to Shaw's work?
The paper explores the influence of Victorian thought, particularly Carlyle, and the impact of various thinkers such as Butler, Bergson, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche on Shaw's concept of the Life Force and his evolutionary theory. It discusses Shaw's engagement with Victorian historicism, his skepticism towards linear progress, and his acceptance of evolution, highlighting the interplay between the biological and spiritual aspects of his Life Force doctrine.
What are the main conclusions or arguments of the paper?
The paper aims to determine the relative importance of historical accuracy, social commentary, and artistic expression in Shaw's creation of Saint Joan. It investigates how these aspects intertwine to reveal Shaw's overall worldview and his concept of creative evolution. The paper ultimately seeks to understand Shaw's primary goals in writing the play and the significance of his portrayal of Joan of Arc for the 20th century.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: George Bernard Shaw, Saint Joan, history, drama, didacticism, Victorian heritage, creative evolution, Life Force, historical adaptation, dramatic interpretation, social commentary.
- Quote paper
- Barbora Sramkova (Author), 1995, The Shavian Web: Three Aspects of "Saint Joan", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/35088
