George Bernard Shaw, through Vivie Warren of Mrs. Warren’s Career, embodies values of a “new woman”, a “superhero”, and promotes individualism in females. Even the males like Frank Gardener, Sir George Crofts or Mrs. Warren were portrayed as less conformists than the female characters. Vivie appears to be a smarter person and more rounded in the play, because she is willing to question societal standards. Vivie’s non-conformist views make her an ideal Shaw’s superman.
Mrs. Warren’s mysterious job is a major contributor to the complexity of her character. Mrs. Warren’s high society career is one that she wants to continue, no matter what. As we learn that her profession is actually prostitution, it’s important to note that women were not usually wealthy in 1894. Shaw is showing Mrs. Warren’s strength, individualism, as well as her non-conformist and noncompliance mentality by writing about her as a rich and successful prostitution. In the last act of the play MRS.WARREN, she even tries justifying her attitude towards a life of a prostitution. What else can I do? I love my life: it’s all that I want. Since I wouldn’t be doing it, it would not harm me. Making money is something I enjoy. It’s useless: I won’t give it to anyone. Shaw reveals how women, including prostitutes, were forced into prostitution by the economic conditions of that time. Shaw establishes women as strong and independent. Although Mrs. Warren is a strong woman, she has a character that is primarily characterized by greed, which is one of the seven fatal sins. This makes her unqualified to be a “superman”.
Sir George Crofts has many facets. His actions and behavior reveal his true nature. Act III exposes his true intention when he approaches Vivie. Crofts, who was once Mrs. Warren’s “pimp”, loses all charm after Vivie rejects him. Crofts, who is displaying more negative traits, does not accept Vivie’s refusal when she refuses him. Crofts shows his true weakness and lack of control, which is why he constantly wants to assert his dominance. Frank Gardener and Vivie are the only characters that have a positive portrayal. In the beginning, he shows romantic feelings toward Vivie but is discouraged in proposing because of his lack of financial resources. The first thing that reveals his weakness is his lack of wealth and societal standing. After learning that Vivie’s love interest is the daughter of a high end prostitute he loses all romantic feelings for her. Page 280 shows the interaction of three characters. FRANK: Goodbye, you’d better take my advice. [He shakes her hand. Vivie, he says airily: Byebye. Bye, VIVIE. Take care. [He leaves without shaking her hand]. Frank could act happy, because he believes he will meet Vivie again. However, it’s more likely that Frank acts happy because it means he won’t be forced to deal with the unpleasant and unwelcome situation. This also shows his inability of handling dramatic or out-of-the-ordinary situations. In the end, he lost all romantic interest for Vivie once he discovered Mrs. Warren’s truth.
Vivie Warren is the noblest character in the story. She questions the source of her mother’s wealth and rejects the lifestyle of high society because of her morals. Act II shows Mrs. Warren’s confession of her secret profession to Vivie. Vivie is then forced to finally leave high society. In act III, Vivie’s true opinion of high society is revealed when she speaks to Crofts. When I consider the society which tolerates and protects you! Think of the helplessness of nine out ten young women in your and my hands. Shaw’s “dirty” money theme is played in the scene where Vivie learns that her current lifestyle and upbringing were made possible only by her mother’s prostitution. Shaw uses Vivie as a symbol of the “new women” in 1890s, who are independent, smart, and motivated. Shaw says that Vivie is weak and dependent at first, but that her college degree is the reason she questions her mother’s occupation. Mrs. Warren blames Vivie’s unmarried status and sudden independence on her college education. MRS. Warren [staring] Of course. Until you get married. You are not returning to college. VIVIE Would you like my lifestyle? I doubt it. MRS. WARRREN, I’m impressed by your life style! What are you saying? VIVIE, [cutting through a book page with the paper blade on her chatelaine] Is it true that you have never thought of me as a person who lives a similar life to others? MRS.WARREN What is it you are trying to say? Do you wish to demonstrate your independence after being such a successful student at school? Be a wise child. Vivie has a strong opinion about how she wants her life to be. Vivie is a new woman because she refuses to live in high society and accept the money from her mother.
Shaw uses Vivie to show his concept of a superwoman. Shaw’s idea of a superwoman is a character that defies the society because they have high morals. Vivie is a superwoman, because she rejects the lifestyle of her upper-class mother after learning where they get their money. Vivie rejects prostitution because she believes it’s degrading and finds it hypocritical to live high society with such wealth. Shaw’s Vivie character exposes high society hypocrisy, and also expresses approval for socialistic values and ideals. This is shown through the weaker female characters such as Mrs. Warren, and Vivie. George Bernard Shaw encourages independent thinking in women by creating the strong female protagonist Vivie. Shaw’s “superman”, Vivie, is known for her rebelliousness against high-society and her choice of values over money. Shaw gave a voice and a positive image of females, portraying them in an independent, positive manner. This shed light on the generational differences between mother and daughter.