Shaw

1. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1856.

2. Won Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

3. Wrote over 60 plays including "Pygmalion".

4. Co-founded London School of Economics.

5. Advocated for women's rights and socialism.

6. Died at age 94 in Hertfordshire, England.

7. Known for his wit and satire.

8. Was a vegetarian and anti-vivisectionist.

9. His works have been translated into over 50 languages.

10. Considered one of the greatest playwrights of the modern era.

George Bernard Shaw was a famous Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist who lived from 1856 to 1950. He is best known for his plays, which were often witty and thought-provoking. Shaw used his writing to comment on social issues of his time, such as inequality and the role of women in society. His most famous play is probably "Pygmalion," which later became the basis for the musical "My Fair Lady." Shaw's work continues to be studied and performed today, making him one of the most influential playwrights in history.

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was a distinguished Irish playwright and critic who left an indelible mark on both English literature and drama. Known for his wit, his commitment to social reform, and his sharp criticisms of the status quo, Shaw's works are characterized by their blend of humor, moral critique, and intellectual debate. He was also a founding member of the Fabian Society, which sought to advance the principles of democratic socialism.

### Major Works and Themes

#### Plays

1. **Pygmalion (1913)**

   - **Plot Summary**: This play follows the transformation of Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl with a strong Cockney accent, into a lady who can speak with an upper-class accent, under the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins. The story explores themes of social mobility and identity, concluding with Eliza asserting her independence.

   - **Themes**: The play delves into themes of class, identity, transformation, and the superficial nature of social status. It also raises questions about the ethics and limits of personal change.

   - **Significance**: Pygmalion remains one of Shaw's most popular works, inspiring the musical and film adaptations of "My Fair Lady."

2. **Major Barbara (1905)**

   - **Plot Summary**: The play revolves around Barbara Undershaft, a major in the Salvation Army, who becomes disillusioned when her organization accepts money from her father, Andrew Undershaft, a wealthy arms manufacturer. The play questions the morality of wealth derived from violence and the complexities of charity.

   - **Themes**: Shaw tackles themes of poverty, morality, and the intersection of commerce and social welfare. It also explores the contradictions inherent in philanthropy funded by morally dubious means.

   - **Characters**: Barbara Undershaft, Andrew Undershaft, and Adolphus Cusins, who debates the ethical implications of Undershaft’s business.

3. **Man and Superman (1903)**

   - **Plot Summary**: This philosophical play centers on John Tanner, an unconventional thinker, who is pursued by Ann Whitefield. The play includes a famous dream sequence, “Don Juan in Hell,” where characters debate the nature of heaven, hell, and the "Life Force."

   - **Themes**: Shaw explores ideas about evolution, the role of the "Life Force" in human progress, and the battle between romantic idealism and pragmatic reality.

   - **Significance**: The play is renowned for its intellectual depth and the “Don Juan in Hell” sequence, often performed as a separate piece.

4. **Arms and the Man (1894)**

   - **Plot Summary**: Set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, the play contrasts romantic notions of war with its more mundane realities. It follows the love triangle involving Raina Petkoff, her fiancé Sergius Saranoff, and the pragmatic Swiss mercenary Captain Bluntschli, who prefers carrying chocolates to bullets.

   - **Themes**: Shaw satirizes romantic idealism and the glorification of war, advocating for a more realistic and humanistic perspective on conflict and heroism.

   - **Characters**: Raina Petkoff, Sergius Saranoff, and Captain Bluntschli.

5. **Saint Joan (1923)**

   - **Plot Summary**: The play dramatizes the life and trial of Joan of Arc, presenting her as a proto-feminist and nationalist martyr. Shaw's Joan is a visionary driven by her convictions, ultimately betrayed by the very forces she seeks to serve.

   - **Themes**: Themes include nationalism, religion, martyrdom, and the clash between individual conviction and institutional authority.

   - **Significance**: Saint Joan is often praised for its sympathetic portrayal of Joan and its nuanced exploration of the dynamics between individual heroism and societal constraints.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up

1. **Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle**:

   - Central characters in **Pygmalion**. Henry Higgins is the phonetics professor who bets he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, into a lady of high society by teaching her to speak with an upper-class accent.

2. **Major Barbara**:

   - The protagonist of **Major Barbara**, who is a major in the Salvation Army and struggles with the ethical implications of accepting donations from her father’s munitions business.

3. **Don Juan in Hell**:

   - A notable dream sequence in **Man and Superman**, where Don Juan, the Devil, and others debate philosophical ideas about life, love, and human purpose.

4. **Arms and the Man**:

   - A play set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, featuring characters like Raina Petkoff and Captain Bluntschli, who challenges the romanticized view of war.

5. **Andrew Undershaft**:

   - The wealthy arms manufacturer in **Major Barbara**, whose business practices challenge his daughter Barbara’s moral beliefs about charity and salvation.

### Fill-in-the-Blanks Practice

1. **"___1___ in Hell"** is a famous philosophical sequence in Man and Superman where Don Juan debates with the Devil.

2. In **"Pygmalion"**, Professor ___2___ transforms Eliza Doolittle into a lady of high society.

3. **"Major ___3___"** is a play where the title character grapples with her father’s morally dubious wealth from the arms trade.

4. **"Arms and the ___4___"** is a satirical play set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, featuring the "___5___-cream soldier."

5. In **"Pygmalion"**, Eliza Doolittle is a flower girl with a strong ___6___ accent.

Answers:

1. Don Juan

2. Henry Higgins

3. Barbara

4. Man

5. Chocolate

6. Cockney

Shaw’s plays remain influential for their sharp wit, insightful social critiques, and the exploration of human ideals versus societal constraints. His work continues to be celebrated for its blend of intellectual rigor and theatrical brilliance.

Here are the recurring clues and references for questions about George Bernard Shaw, sorted by frequency:

### Frequency Count: 20

- **Pygmalion**: Shaw's play that centers around:

  - Henry Higgins teaching Eliza Doolittle to speak like a duchess.

  - The bet between Higgins and Colonel Pickering.

  - The phrase “Walk? Not bloody likely!” associated with Eliza Doolittle.

  - Eliza eventually marrying Freddy Eynsford-Hill.

  - Eliza being a flower girl from Covent Garden.

### Frequency Count: 18

- **Major Barbara**: Shaw's play involving:

  - The protagonist, Major Barbara, who works for the Salvation Army.

  - Andrew Undershaft, the wealthy munitions manufacturer.

  - Adolphus Cusins, who inherits Undershaft’s business.

  - The moral dilemma of accepting money from Undershaft.

### Frequency Count: 17

- **Man and Superman**: Shaw's play with:

  - The “Don Juan in Hell” sequence.

  - The characters John Tanner and Ann Whitefield.

  - Themes of the Life Force and Tanner's authorship of “The Revolutionist's Handbook”.

### Frequency Count: 16

- **Arms and the Man**: Shaw's play set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, featuring:

  - The "chocolate-cream soldier" Bluntschli.

  - The romantic dynamics between Raina Petkoff, Bluntschli, and Sergius Saranoff.

  - Louka and Nicola as servants.

### Frequency Count: 15

- **Saint Joan**: Shaw's play about Joan of Arc:

  - Themes of martyrdom and sainthood.

  - The character’s interaction with King Charles VII and her eventual canonization.

### Frequency Count: 13

- **Mrs. Warren’s Profession**: Shaw's play featuring:

  - The title character, Kitty Warren, and her brothels.

  - The conflict between Kitty and her daughter Vivie over the source of their wealth.

### Frequency Count: 10

- **Candida**: Shaw's play that includes:

  - The love triangle between the Reverend James Morell, his wife Candida, and Eugene Marchbanks.

  - Morell's realization of his dependence on Candida.

### Frequency Count: 8

- **Heartbreak House**: Shaw's play involving:

  - Captain Shotover and his ship-shaped home.

  - The themes of social and moral decay against the backdrop of World War I.

### Frequency Count: 6

- **The Devil’s Disciple**: Shaw's play set during the American Revolutionary War:

  - The characters Dick Dudgeon and Anthony Anderson.

  - Themes of sacrifice and heroism.

### Frequency Count: 5

- **Back to Methuselah**: Shaw's series of plays exploring:

  - The evolution of humanity and creative thought.

  - Time periods ranging from 4004 BC to 31920 AD.

### Frequency Count: 4

- **Caesar and Cleopatra**: Shaw's play that portrays:

  - The interaction between Julius Caesar and the young Cleopatra.

  - The library of Alexandria burning as part of the plot.

### Frequency Count: 3

- **Androcles and the Lion**: Shaw's play based on the fable:

  - The story of a slave who helps a lion by removing a thorn from its paw.

  - The lion sparing Androcles in the gladiatorial arena.

These recurring elements highlight George Bernard Shaw’s focus on societal issues, moral dilemmas, and his sharp critique of social norms through his rich characterizations and dialogues in his plays.