Summary for Candida by George Bernard Shaw

Candida

                        George Bernard Shaw

Candida is a domestic comedy written by George Bernard Shaw in 1898. It is a three-act play. The story centers around Candida, an attractive vibrant lady, and James Mavor Morell, a clergyman. The play is a love tale with comic elements embedded in it. This play explores the Victorian idea about marriage and love.

The title of this play “Candida” is named after the wife of James Mayor Morell, a clergy man.  She is a intellectual woman. She is the sole responsible person for the success of her husband. As the play commences Candida returns home from a vacation. She brings along with her an young poet, Eugene Marchbank. She introduces the poet to her husband.

The poet declares his love for Candida to the Clergyman. He insists Morell that he is not the right person to be her husband. He claims that he is ready to marry Candida and release her from the clutches of slavery. He trusts that Candida deserves his eternal love and devotion. He scorns at Morell for not helping Candida in doing domestic works.

Morell feels insecure and he realises the truth that Candida is an independent being. He is the person who depends on his wife. He comes to a conclusion that life without Candida would be a tragic one.  She is the woman who takes care of his well being. He feels weak at heart and fears that Candida will leave him alone and elope with the poet.

Morell needs the care and protection of Candida. At the end of the play when Candida is let to choose her husband. She knew well about her husbands weakness She reasserts her preference for the "weaker of the two" who, after a momentary uncertainty, turns out to be her husband Morell.

The play explores the theme of love and marriage. Apart from this there are various other themes. The freedom of women in Victorian society to choose her own way of life, ignorance and arrogance.