In his play Mrs. Warren's Profession,
George Bernard Shaw shows us a series of dynamics that take place in the same plot.
First, you have the topic central theme of the hypocrisy among the upper classes. Mrs.
Warren is a former destitute who, in order to make a living, opens up a brother and
works as a prostitute. She is living a righteous life, puts her daughter through school,
and basically lives under the appearance of the rich while hiding the fact that her life
earnings are based on vice.
The topic of unfairness among
the classes, separation of social status, and hypocrisy are consistently touched upon by
Victorian writers. The London society in the 19th century was as fashionable as it was
classicist. They avowed by prudishness and virtue and did the exact opposite in their
households. Mrs. Warren is an example of those women who hide their truths and joins the
masquerade of society. In the end, she sadly paid for this with the rejection of her own
daughter.
Shaw also aims to show through Vivie that not
everyone in London thinks the same way. There are dissidents from the common behaviors
of people who appreciate their independence no matter how uncommon it may seem. What
separates Vivie from Kitty is the discovery of Kitty's hypocritical lifestyle. Maybe
there is something to learn from Vivie's awkward and pseudo-masochistic behavior: Not
everybody has to be content with the status quo. It is fine to be a rebel of society. In
the end, at least those who are true to themselves end up safeguarding their
dignity.
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