Comment on Shaw’s Treatment of Love and Marriage in “You Never Can Tell”.
You Never Can Tell is a notable literary work by George Bernard Shaw. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of You Never Can Tell.
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Comment on Shaw’s Treatment of Love and Marriage in “You Never Can Tell”.
In “You Never Can Tell” (1898), George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) presents a complex and nuanced exploration of love, which is a central theme of the play. Shaw’s treatment of love is critical of societal norms and expectations that often shape romantic relationships, and he advocates for a more genuine and egalitarian form of love based on mutual respect and understanding.
Anti-Romantic for Love and Marriage: The term ‘anti’ means against or opposite, and anti-romantic comedy signifies the opposite of romantic comedy. To put it differently, Anti-romantic is a type of comedy in which romantic fascinations are disrupted. ‘You Never Can Tell’ is an anti-romantic comedy because Shaw satirizes a cynical attitude toward love, marriage, and life.
Ironical Setting: At the beginning of the play, we notice that the plot starts very romantically but gradually turns into bitter experiences of love and marital life.
Criticism of Ideology or Ideas: Shaw expresses his idea against traditional thinking. He satirizes love and marriage and modern Victorian society. Mrs. Clandon thinks she teaches her children her philosophy and ideals, but she fails because her daughter, Gloria, disobeys her ideals and falls in love with Valentine. Mrs. Clandon tries to dissuade Gloria from falling in love with Valentine.
How many times he has laid the trap in which he has caught you; how often he has baited it with the same speeches; how much practice it has taken to make him perfect in his chosen part in life as the Duelist of Sex.
From this quotation, we can understand that love between males and females is the only source of sex, according to Mrs. Clandon.
Anti-romantic Attitude to Love: Shaw has an anti-romantic attitude to love. Being the mouthpiece of Shaw, Valentine expresses his creator’s attitude to love. Valentine told Gloria that his attack on the conflict of love is not conventional. He does not kneel in front ofUnlock this study guide now