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LIT 499-01 Spring 2017

LIT499-01 Bernard Shaw and Theory of Drama
Professor: Bernard Bearer
Class meets:  T/F 2:00-3:20pm

A study of the wit and wisdom of the greatest British dramatist, by looking at his satirical plays and prose. His plays satirize such things as war (Arms and the Man – the hero carries chocolates instead of bullets), Christianity (Androcles and the Lion – the preface logically analyzes the four gospels), the relationship of money and religion (Major Barbara – the Salvation Army and war), and human nature (Man and Superman – the battle of the sexes, in which the devil makes some astute comments about humans).  According to Shaw, “My way of joking is to tell the truth.  It’s the funniest joke in the world.”  “The function of comedy is nothing less than the destruction of old-established morals.”

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