Man And Superman

George Bernard Shaw wrote his play Man and Superman in response to calls for him to write a play based off the Don Juan theme. Don Juan is a fictional character, said to be a womanizer, whose story has been told many times by various authors. George Bernard Shaw wrote for the Realism time period of theater, where the actions and speech of the characters were similar to that of everyday life. The plays and the actors themselves aimed to use the stage as an environment, rather than an acting platform. Social and political themes were popular and lower and middle class were often viewed as heroes. Plots and secrets known the audience, but not to certain characters, added to the suspense.

Realism began in the mid to late 19th century and continued into the 1900s. There was the growing belief that science could solve human problems. August Comte and Charles Darwin’s scientific findings helped lead to the emergence of Realism Theater. The movement began in France with three new social and artistic beliefs. The first was that truth resides in what we can perceive through our five senses. Second, the scientific method or observation can solve everything and anything. And third, human problems were the greatest manifestation of science. Drama dealt with human behavior and delved into the minds of humans, both males and females alike.

The Realism era belief that science could solve human problems was somewhat apparent in Shaw’s play Man and Superman. Ann Whitefield, who loved Jack Tanner and wanted him as a husband, was determined to get her way. She employs less obvious aspects of science, such as persistence and clever flirting, to help Jack realize his love for her. She uses her womanly wiles, a unique take on using science to solve pr...

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...ters face in Man and Superman are real, as people today face the same sort of decisions. This adds a truly realistic feel to the play and really lets the theme of human behavior and mind shine through.

George Bernard Shaw’s Man and Superman is less well-known than some of his other works, but is an excellent example of Realism Theater. He employs nearly all the aspects of Realism, while adding his own unique and intriguing touches. This play, among other works of his, has a witty humor that is hard to find amongst other Realism playwrights. He keeps the scenes on an everyday scale, while the dialogue feels natural and fitting, as if they were truly conversing. Man and Superman is a thought-provoking play based off of the Don Juan theme. If one decides to read it, they will find themselves immersed in their world, surrounded by the realistic and fascinating details.