G. Thompson
If attending Decision Height presents great difficulty, it's not a requirement. But you should go if at all possible, as this is our best shot at seeing a live performance.
For today we are discussing the rest of Major Barbara, exclusive of the preface or critical articles. For Wednesday we will add the critical articles (you should read at least two of the three).
Start with freewriting for five minutes: two questions, focusing on acts 2 and 3.
1. Where does Shaw have a character present what appears to be an authorial (political) viewpoint? What is your reaction to it?
2. Apart from #1, one other passage which seems important to the play.
We'll build discussion around these.
My own points to bring up:
Are the religious observations offered in act 2 a matter of religious cant? Or is there substance to them? Compare Barbara's with those of other characters.
Several of the denizens of the West Ham Salvation Army are clearly just in it for a free meal or companionship or because they are out of a job. Is it sincere religious experience to go after material advantages? Does that matter to the Salvation Army as portrayed here? In other words, is it a religious organization attempting to save people's souls by first saving their bodies? Or is the religious perspective just a cover for improving people's social lot? And does the one imperil the other?
Note how Snobby Price and Rummy work the rhetoric of religious conversion to influence the Salvation Army people. See Rummy's speech on 77. Also 79--take a few minutes to pray . . . Price, 78.
How does Barbara initially get the better of Bill Walker? ("I want nan o your kentin jawr.")
What is Adolphus' interest in the Salvation Army (beyond the obvious point of Barbara)? See 93-94. ("the conversion of the Salvation Army to the worship of Dionysos")
What does the name matter? This is an interesting perspective of Shaw's--that regardless of whether we pursue Divinity under the name of Jehovah or Buddha or the Life Force, it doesn't matter--the point is to do so with dedication. Re Barbara, as Undershaft says, "Her inspirition comes from within herself." (96)
Undershaft on the sin of poverty, 97. "We three must stand above the common people: how else can we help their children to climb up beside us?" (97-98)
Dialogue between Cusins and Undershaft about how the Salvation Army profits Undershaft's business.
How does the donation of money to the Salvation Army undercut their (religious) work? Bodger and "Saxmundham" (a.k.a. Undershaft) donate money--PR in Bodger's case, a rhetorical demonstration in Undershaft's, to undercut Barbara's religious cant. "Oh, youre too extravagant, papa. Bill offers twenty pieces of silver (i.e., 20 shillings). All you need offer is the other ten. That will make the standard price to buy anybody who's for sale. I'm not; and the Army's not." (103) Actually . . .
Mrs Baines' POV: "If heaven has found the way to make a good use of his money, are we to set ourselves up against the answer to our prayers?" Bodger, and her father, want to send money instead of reforming (107)
"Blow, Machiavelli, blow." (109) What does Cusins mean by calling Undershaft by this and other names (Mephistopheles)?
Barbara goes off with Peter Shirley to talk about Secularism and Tom Paine.
Act 3
Back at Wilton Crescent, Barbara has left off her uniform. Cusins is hung over. Aftermath of the celebration of Bodger's and Undershaft's money. Lomax gets repeatedly chastised for his "drivel." Why is Sarah romantically interested in an obvious imbecile (125)?
Conversation among Undershaft, Stephen, and Lady Britomart about Stephen's disinheritance (from the factory) and what he is to do. Certain occupations were not appropriate for a Gentleman, and others are clearly inappropriate for Stephen. Trade? Not likely. Undershaft pegs him first for a politician, then for a journalist. (121 ff.) Discussion of what is needed for a successor (120).
Another authorial comment about knowing right from wrong: this is a puzzle for philosophers from ancient times, but any English gentleman or -woman thinks that they know the difference. (123)
Undershaft--"I am the government of your country." Discussion of the professional organization of the firm (127)--they talk disrespectfully of the boss, but they keep each other in line.
Is Undershaft diabolical when he talks to Barbara on 128--"Does my daughter despair so easily? Can you strike a man to the heart and leave no mark on him?"
Transition to the factory, 128 ff--description. Stephen is impressed (131). But because the workmen have it so good, it's going to "weaken their sense of responsibility." Here's another authorial voice--are trouble and anxiety good things?
Cholly has lit up a cigarette in the explosives shed (132).
Lady Britomart--the "houses and orchards and gardens" are a woman's prerogative. (133)
Characters' comments and perspectives reflect who they are. Cf. an observation cited by W. H. Auden once. "A book is a mirror. If an ass looks into it, you can't expect an apostle to look out."
Cusins' ratiocination about how he may be considered a foundling (135 ff.) His father married his late wife's sister, legal in Australia but apparently not in England (cf. Hamlet). Negotiations about the price--offered as a way of legitimating Cusins' business sense, necessary for a Professor of Greek.
Slogans for successive Undershafts--138. By passing on the control of the firm to foundlings, all of whom are Andrew Undershafts, the head of the firm is apparently immortal.
The Armorer's Faith--sell to anyone who has the money (139). Discuss. Undershaft on obsolete ideas: do with them what you do with a gun that doesn't work--scrap it. The world won't scrap its obsolete beliefs. "If your old religion broke down yesterday, get a newer and a better one for tomorrow" (141).
Poverty as a crime (141-42). Undershaft decides to get his own. The difference between him and our ordinary 1% is that they haven't realized the usefulness of removing tension and anxiety from workers--they want it all for themselves.
Utopianism of the factory in act 3
Lady Britomart is finished thinking once she calls people names (145-46).
Cusins' choice--apparently, the factory or Barbara. But it turns out that he can only have her if he chooses the factory. Discuss. (149 ff.) "Turning our backs on Bodger and Undershaft is turning our backs on life." (151) "My father shall never throw it in my teeth again that my coverts were bribed with bread. [She is transfigured.] I have got rid of the bribe of bread. I have got rid of the bribe of heaven. Let God's work be done for its own sake."
So Cusins will indeed show up at 6 a.m.
Is Cusins to be renamed now, or only when he becomes the factory head?