Bernard Shaw - Playwright and Preacher

It was Shaw's general contention that all great art was didactic; it was his specific contention that he wrote plays to convert people to his opinions on 'Social Economy', 'Political Economy' and 'Vital Economy'. In this study of Bernard Shaw's plays, first published in 1971, Leon Hugo examines the implications of these contentions.

List of contents

Preface. Part I: Philosopher 1. Social and Political Economy 2. The Life Force 3. Aesthetics and Ethics Part II: Dramatist 4. 1892-1901: Blue Books, 'New Women', and Dictators 5. 1901-1903: Man and Superman 6. 1904-1912: Wot Price Salvation? 7. 1913-1923: The Great Plays 8. 1929-1939: Dissolution Part III: Artist-Philosopher 9. Artist-Philosopher. Select Bibliography. Index.

About the author

Leon Hugo was, at time of original publication, Professor in the Department of English at the University of South Africa.

Product details

• Authors: Leon Hugo, Hugo Leon
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 24.09.2025
• EAN: 9781041115366
• ISBN: 978-1-0-4111536-6
• No. of pages: 268
• Series: Routledge Library Editions: George Bernard Shaw
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; LITERARY CRITICISM / Drama, LITERARY CRITICISM / Subjects & Themes / Politics, Ireland, Literary studies: general, Literary studies: plays & playwrights, Literary studies: plays and playwrights