A Study on Gender Roles and Human Relationships in the Plays of George Bernard Shaw

Abstract

The study aims at understanding and appreciating selected plays of George Bernard Shaw in order to observe the gender roles and human relationships that occurs among his characters. The study will also analyze Shaw s perception of gender roles and his attempt at projecting his views on the subject through his plays. It will also attempt to study how Shaw used his plays as vehicles to propagate his conceptions and criticism on the institution of marriage. By attempting the research, the study aims at identifying Shaw as one of the pioneers who advocated for woman empowerment, gender equality, and better marriage laws. The dissertation is divided into five chapters namely Introduction, Gender Roles, Gender Equality, and Shaw s Characters, Marriage in Shaw s Plays, Influences on Shaw s Perception of Gender Representation, and Summation. The Introductory chapter gives a concise summary of Shaw s life and contribution to literature in order to put the study in perspective. The chapter presents a brief commentary on the state of English drama during the early part of the twentieth century. The chapter then presents a detailed review of literature related to Gender Studies and Gender Dynamics and how these subjects are treated in literature. The second chapter presents a detailed analysis of Shaw s characters in terms of their gender roles and examine show these characters interact with one another. The chapter closely observes how gender dynamics is played out and how Shaw s characters especially women characters participate, react and respond to various situations. The third chapter presents a detailed discussion on Shaw s views on the institution of marriage, and how he has dealt with marriage as a theme in his plays. Shaw vehemently attacks the viewing of marriage as a matter of convenience. His plays present the consequences of considering marriage as an alliance for advancement inlife. Shaw wishes marriage to become a more serious and respectable institution Which will not be frivolous enough to allow people to b