Candida by George Bernard Shaw
**Overview of "Candida" by George Bernard Shaw**
"Candida" is a three-act play by George Bernard Shaw that explores themes of love, power dynamics, and gender roles within a marriage. The narrative centers around Reverend James Morell, a passionate Christian Socialist, and his wife, Candida, who is depicted as a strong and independent woman. The play begins with Morell’s interactions with his secretary, Prossy, and his curate, Reverend Alexander Mill, leading to a visit from Candida's father, Mr. Burgess. The plot thickens when Eugene Marchbanks, a young poet, reveals his love for Candida, challenging Morell's perception of his marriage.
As the story unfolds, tensions arise between the characters, particularly surrounding the idea of ideal love versus the practicalities of life. Candida's strength and nurturing nature are juxtaposed against Morell’s perceived weaknesses, creating a complex emotional landscape. Ultimately, Candida's choice between Morell and Marchbanks serves as a pivotal moment, highlighting her role as a decisive figure who understands the needs of both men in her life. Shaw’s play critically examines societal expectations and the intricacies of human relationships, making it a compelling exploration of personal and social themes.
Candida by George Bernard Shaw
First published: 1898
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Comedy
Time of plot: 1894
Locale: London
Principal Characters
The Reverend James Morell , a Christian Socialist clergymanCandida Morell , his intelligent, vivacious wifeEugene Marchbanks , a poet in love with CandidaMr. Burgess , Candida’s fatherThe Reverend Alexander Mill , Morell’s idealistic, admiring young curateProserpine “Prossy” Garnett, , Morell’s secretary
The Story
Act One. In his London home, the Reverend James Morell, a popular speaker for Christian Socialist causes, is arranging lecture dates with his secretary, Prossy, who is secretly in love with him. His curate, the Reverend Alexander Mill, enters and announces that Morell’s father-in-law, Mr. Burgess, is coming to see him. While Morell briefly leaves the room, Mill and Prossy argue about Mill’s tendency to idealize Morell and his wife, Candida. When Burgess enters, Mill leaves. Burgess has not seen Morell, whom he regards as a fool, for three years. Morell despises Burgess for being interested only in money and for paying low wages to his help. Morell was instrumental in getting the county council to turn down Burgess’s bid for a construction contract. Burgess says that he changed his ways and now pays higher wages, but Morell suspects that Burgess only wants to bid on other contracts. Candida returns from a vacation with her children, accompanied by Eugene Marchbanks; Burgess, impressed to discover that he is the nephew of a peer, leaves, promising to return that afternoon. Candida, too, goes out, and Morell invites Marchbanks to stay for lunch. Marchbanks announces that it is incredible that Morell should think his marriage to Candida a happy one; he himself loves Candida, and he dares Morell to tell Candida what he said. Morell begins to get angry when Marchbanks asserts that Candida is too fine a spirit for a life with Morell. Saying that he will not tell Candida of their talk, Morell instructs the young man to leave. Candida returns and invites Marchbanks to stay for lunch.
Act Two. Later that same afternoon, Prossy berates Marchbanks for fiddling with her typewriter. Marchbanks talks poetically of love until Prossy, who is at first exasperated, admits that she, too, is in love. Burgess enters and asserts that Morell is mad. When Morell comes in with the news that Candida is cleaning the house and the lamps, Marchbanks is horrified to think that his idealized woman is getting her hands dirty doing mundane chores. This amuses Candida, who takes Marchbanks out to peel onions. Morell leaves to answer a telegram brought to him by Prossy, who tells Burgess that Marchbanks is mad. When Morell returns, Burgess complains that Prossy insulted him and goes out; that upsets Prossy, who also rushes out. Candida returns and begins to baby Morell. She tells him of “Prossy’s complaint,” and that women are in love with him and not with his preaching and ideas. Saying that Morell is spoiled with love and worship, she claims that Marchbanks is the one who needs love. Marchbanks, she says, is always right because he understands Morell and Prossy and her. She ends by telling Morell to trust in her love for him. Mill comes in with the news that the Guild of St. Matthew is very upset that Morell canceled his lecture. Candida says that they should all go to hear Morell, but her husband, resolved to put matters to the test, decides that he will give the lecture but that Candida and Marchbanks should stay at home together.
Act Three. Later that evening, when Candida and Marchbanks are alone by the fire, Marchbanks reads poetry to her until Candida tells Marchbanks she would rather talk. Marchbanks sits on the floor with his head against her knees. Candida wants him to speak of his real feelings and not to indulge in attitudes, but Marchbanks only repeats Candida’s name over and over. She asks him if he is happy and if he wants anything more. Marchbanks replies that he is happy. When Morell enters and Candida leaves to talk to the maid, Morell and Marchbanks argue about their differing views of Candida; Marchbanks says that he loves Candida so much that he wants nothing more than the happiness of being in love. Then he becomes very excited and begs Morell to send for Candida so that she can choose between them. Candida comes back into the room, followed by Mill, Prossy, and Burgess, who return from a supper after the lecture. All are full of praise for Morell. Prossy drinks a bit too much champagne, and Morell tells Mill to see her home; Burgess, satisfied with having made contact for business purposes with a member of the County Council Works Committee, also leaves. When Morell tells Candida that Marchbanks is in love with her, Candida scolds them both. Morell finally says that Candida has to choose between them. He offers strength, honesty, ability, and industry. Marchbanks offers his weakness and desolation. When Candida says that she chooses the weaker of the two, Marchbanks immediately realizes that she means Morell. Candida explains that Morell was spoiled from birth and needs support, whereas Marchbanks is a rebel and really self-sufficient. Candida kisses Marchbanks on the forehead and he leaves. Morell and Candida embrace.
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