Katalin Ságvári

Nora and Barbara: Henrik Ibsen's Influence on George Bernard Shaw Katalin Ságvári

George Bernard Shaw is often said to be a follower of the Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen. Both artists had a great influence on society, instead of fairy tales they put our everyday life on stage, showed what the audience did not want to see and tried to make people be aware of their own problems. If we examine their plays thoroughly, we can also find differences and we cannot forget the fact that the Irish playwright always refused to be called the follower of the Norwegian. Was he really different? In order to find the answer, first the message of their works needs to be understood. Both A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen and Major Barbara by G. B. Shaw present an instructive story of two different women and their fight against the prejudiced society. Shaw's notion on morals and the problem of idealism are also discussed in the book.