Major Barbara: With An Essay As First Aid To Critics

Set in Edwardian London, the play features Barbara Undershaft, a Salvation Army member, who faces a moral dilemma when her wealthy industrialist father, Andrew Undershaft, offers a significant donation. The narrative explores themes of morality, ethics, and the impact of wealth on social institutions, contrasting the family's differing values. Andrew challenges traditional morality by arguing for the necessity of armaments, while Barbara grapples with the implications of accepting his money. Shaw's sharp wit and intellectual depth make this a compelling examination of idealism versus pragmatism.