Critically comment on Shaw’s treatment of love 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.
Answer
Critically comment on Shaw’s treatment of love in You Never Can Tell. [2019] ✪✪✪
Or, Comment on Shaw’s treatment of love and marriage in his “You Never Can Tell”. [2017]
Or, Evaluate “You Never Can Tell” as an anti-romantic comedy. [2017]
George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), the Irish dramatist, wrote ‘You Never Can Tell’ in 1898. In this play, he rejects false romantic ideals and presents love and marriage as natural human relations. Shaw mocks dreamy love and sentimental passion. He gives love a practical and realistic meaning. The play is called an anti-romantic comedy because it breaks the old traditions of romantic literature. Through humor, wit, and logic, Shaw expresses his modern and scientific view of love.
Anti-Romantic View of Love: Shaw attacks the false emotions of romantic literature. He mocks the idea of love as worship or blind devotion. Valentine, the young dentist, loves Gloria not with flattery but with honesty. He does not kneel or sing praises like old lovers. He says,
“Nature was in deadly earnest with me when I was in jest with her.”
Here, Shaw shows that love is serious and guided by nature, not fantasy. His love is practical and full of truth.
Love as a Natural Force: Shaw treats love as an inherent part of human nature. It is not a game or a poem. It is natural and strong, like life itself. Valentine’s attraction to Gloria is physical and emotional, not artificial. Gloria resists at first but later accepts his sincerity. Their love grows from truth, not imagination. Shaw believes that love joins a man and a woman for life’s purpose.
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.
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