Women, Power, and Patriarchy in George Bernard Shaw’s St. Joan and Major Barbara

Abstract

This study examines the representation of women in George Bernard Shaw’s plays St. Joan and Major Barbara from a feminist perspective. The research explores how Shaw portrays female characters who challenge patriarchal authority and traditional gender roles within society. Through the analysis of the characters Joan and Barbara, the study highlights their independence, moral strength, and resistance to dominant social and religious institutions. The study adopts a qualitative analytical approach based on feminist literary criticism. It focuses on a close textual analysis of the selected plays in order to identify themes related to women's empowerment, social oppression, and gender identity. Shaw’s dramatic works reveal a critical perspective on the limitations imposed on women by patriarchal structures such as family, church, and capitalist society. The findings suggest that Shaw presents women as strong and influential figures who question traditional authority and seek social transformation. Therefore, St. Joan and Major Barbara contribute significantly to feminist discourse by portraying women as active agents capable of challenging social norms and redefining their roles in modern society.