Shaw: Questions for Discussion and Further Research
Man and Superman is not only about Jack and Ann; it spells out Shaw’s vision for men, women, and the future of marriage between them.
Discuss:
- Describe the play’s female characters. How do they differ from earlier Romantic/Victorian heroines or characters? What is Shaw saying, through them?
- How does Shaw use the character Don Juan in the play’s third act? How does Shaw’s Don Juan differ from earlier versions? Is he a sympathetic character, or does he serve some other purpose? Explain.
- Is Ann’s interest in Jack (instead of Tavy) surprising? Why or why not? What evidence does the play offer, to suggest that this is a suitable match?
Do further research:
- The idea of “Superman” is based on the German concept of the Übermensch, drawn from the work of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Using your college library’s resources, research the history of this term. Why was it intriguing to George Bernard Shaw? What social and political movements used the idea of the Übermensch in the 20th century? Does this make Shaw’s endorsement of the concept problematic?
