Sir George Bernard Shaw’s contribution to the Western theatre is unparallel, and hence, is imitated, remembered and read by literature lovers even today. Over the course of his life he wrote more than 60 plays, and nearly all his plays address prevailing social problems, but each also includes a vein of comedy that makes their stark themes more palatable. In these works, Shaw examined education, marriage, religion, government, healthcare, and class privilege as primary themes of his plays.
This book is an anthology of some of Shaw’s important plays, which are much talked about, and also prescribed in the English Literature syllabuses of all premier Indian and International Universities. As the title suggests, the book focuses on three important social components of that period—Politics, War and History. The plays discussed and critically analyzed are both in terms of Shaw’s interpretation of his times, and the author’s research on the subject.
This book is suited for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of English. Besides, the students doing research work in Shaw’s plays will be benefitted reading this book.
About the Author
GAUTAM SENGUPTA, PhD, is Former Associate Professor and Head, English Department, Gurudas College, University of Calcutta. Dr. Sengupta did his research in Shaw’s work, and recently was the lone academician to represent the Indian sub-continent in the International Shaw Conference, South Florida, USA (2004) and International Shaw Conference, London, UK (2013). He has published many articles on Shaw’s work in various University level journals.
Table of Contents:
Preface
1. BEYOND SOCIALISM: Shaw and Contemporary Politics
2. SHAW’S HISTORY PLAYS: A Brief Glimpse
3. WAR AND PEACE: A Shavian Perspective
4. HIGHLIGHTING A FEW SHAW PLAYS AND ESSAY ON FREEDOM
5. CONCLUSION
Works Cited
Index
