Chris's review
Saint Joan
by George Bernard Shaw
Chris's review
Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw
Chris's review
rating:
Interesting take on Joan. Shaw has clearly formed a very clear idea of her for himself, as his Introduction (also worth reading) took me longer than the play itself. It's not hagiography, but Joan is presented as a heroic, larger-than-life figure, but not one without flaws. She's also got a pretty great sense of humor as well. His depiction of Joan's inquisitors -- as faithful churchmen doing their job fairly and without cynicism -- makes for an interesting comparison with, for example, The Passion of Joan of Arc, and certainly muddies the very clear distinctions of good/evil set up in the latter piece. I think in future I'll include this side-by-side with that film in my Heroic Literature class.
It can be a little heavy-handed at times, and I'm not entirely sure that the Epilogue works, but all in all very worth reading.
It can be a little heavy-handed at times, and I'm not entirely sure that the Epilogue works, but all in all very worth reading.
