George Bernard Shaw is known for his exploration of complicated themes through seemingly uncomplicated means, and his play “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” is no exception.
It is certainly not easy viewing (nor reading, in my case) – though charming and entertaining, it delves into topics that require intense contemplation if the audience is to receive any benefit from partaking in the story. Rather than simply encouraging further examination, it requires it.
“Mrs. Warren’s Profession” follows Vivie and her mother, Kitty Warren, as Vivie returns home from school to get to know her mother for the first time. However, things quickly go awry once Vivie learns that Mrs. Warren has made her fortune from working as a prostitute and, eventually, the “madam” of a brothel.
This does not include a subplot that proves to be rather questionable, for lack of a better term. It is not difficult to see why the play was and, in some circles, continues to be controversial. Nevertheless, it poses a question that continues to be culturally relevant: Is prostitution actually a moral failing or the result of economic deprivation?
The answer to this question is left up to the reader, as no satisfying conclusion comes to aid them in their interpretation. It is made an even more difficult question by the disagreeable characters – not even one of them is worthy of being liked, let alone rooted for.
The odd combination of characters leads to a conclusion that is less than satisfying, both philosophically and emotionally. The work focuses on the bigger picture of moral questioning rather than actually exploring the characters and conflicts that Shaw has established, a criticism that is not uncommon in this genre of problem plays. Where it fails in writing, it succeeds in criticism.
This is not to say there are no aspects to enjoy here, of course. There is great thought given to how the characters are to be portrayed on stage, as well as the way the sets must be composed to more fully develop them as individuals and immerse the audience.
Much like Shaw’s most famous play, “Pygmalion,” there is great humor here that transcends its age and makes the moral questions and failings more tolerable. Technically, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” is a comedy, but I would argue that it is much too emotionally fraught and morally questioning to fully earn that title – the audience is meant to be uncomfortable and often leaves it feeling so.
Of course, it is hard to fully disdain Shaw’s splendid use of dialogue, as well. It is the best quality in most of his writing, and the clever conversations between characters keep their punch in modernity, even if the manner of speaking is a little stilted at times.
All in all, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” holds up well. It maintains some charm and discusses topics that are still uncomfortable for most people, even if the way it is handled is a bit outdated at times. I would recommend it to everyone – there is never a “bad” thing to read, after all – but it would be of particular interest to those who are invested in classic literature or even the late Victorian period.
Rating: 7/10
Comments