1 Idealism in the Theatre: Major Barbara and In His Steps Over the last century there have been

many playwrights who have used the theatre as a platform for social reform by presenting their philosophy to the public through the stage. Of these writers, George Bernard Shaw is perhaps one of the leading advocates of social reform in the theatre world. Shaws philosophy of reform rings out loud and clear in Major Barbara his play that climaxes with the conflict between realism and idealism of religion, with the former winning completely in the end. Many of Shaws plays, including Major Barbara, have left audiences confused about the message they are supposed to teach, and as a result the only social change is an intellectual one, not an actual one. On the other hand, another social reformer of George Bernard Shaws time wrote another drama for social reform. Charles Sheldons In His Steps uses the idealism of Christianity to change society. The success of his work even today proves that contrary to the philosophy of Shaw there is a place for Christian idealism in society, and especially in the theatre. Born in 1856 to an Irish Protestant family, Shaw was influenced in his youth by the hypocrisy of the social class system, and of the church. The example Shaws father left was damnable (Henderson 6). According to Dr. Archibald Henderson, Shaw saw in his father the inefficiency and hypocrisy of the upper middle class (6). Henderson also states that The formative influences of Shaws early life were of a nature to inculcate in him that disbelieve in popular education, that disrespect for popular religion, and that contempt for social pretensions which are so deeply ingrained in his work and character (8). Shaw was frustrated with the politics of religion in Ireland. He said himself: Protestantism in Ireland is not a religion; it is a

2 side in a political faction, a class prejudice, a conviction the Roman Catholics are socially inferior persons, who will go to Hell when they die, and leave Heaven in the exclusive possession of ladies and gentlemen (Henderson 8-9). For Shaw, religion was not a devoted way of life, but an attempt to place ones social standing above anothers. These are the frustrations that fed the philosophy Shaw presented throughout his career especially in Major Barbara. Stuart E. Baker states that Major Barbara is the single most complete statement of Shaws philosophy and the epitome of the dramatic method he developed to express that philosophy (123). So what is the philosophy he presents? Perhaps the simplest explanation of Shaws philosophy comes from Charles Carpenter. He said, To Shaw the only formula is that there is no formula; there is no such thing as a real ideal (10). Indeed, Shaws whole theology centers around the conflict of realism versus idealism. This is the conflict in Major Barbara. Shaw defined the idealist through the character of Adolphus Cusins. He is highly intelligent, strong willed, highly conscientious, and perceptive. He also deemed that an idealist was someone who sought selfrighteousness to take the focus off of themselves (leading either to bitter irony and criticism or hypocrisy and self-deception), rather than looking for what they can do to make the world better (Baker 143). Shaw defined a realist as one who had the courage to see things as they are, not as one might wish them to be (Baker xi). Shaw also said that a realist is led by his deep respect in the validity of his own will (Baker 29), and that will is a god within us also known as the Life Force (Berst

3 110). This Will leads the realist to face the world and attempt to transform it. Both Barbara and Andrew Undershaft were realists in Shaws mind (Baker 142). There are several other aspects of Shaws philosophy that need to be mentioned. First, Shaw saw the world as unified, not divided into categories such as philosophy, science, or religion (Baker 3). Next, as seen in Major Barbara, Shaw insists that poverty is the worst possible crime. He said himself that the crying need of the nation is not for better morals, cheaper bread, temperance, liberty, culture, redemption of fallen sisters and erring brothers, nor the grace, love and fellowship of the Trinity, but simply for enough money (22). This is perhaps the center of Shaws social reform platform. He was a socialist himself, and fought (along with the Fabian Society) for practical social reform that would allow the working classes to rid themselves of poverty (Henderson 181). This plea for reform is best presented in Shaws work in the character of Andrew Undershaft. In the same way that Barbara appealed to the conscience of Bill to get him to stop beating women, Undershaft appealed to the consciences of the poor and enslaved to demand freedom and dignity. He felt that it was a lesser evil to kill for these rights than to submit to them. This is why he held the desire for personal righteousness in contempt (Baker 142). To review, Shaws philosophy consists of four main points. He saw idealism as disillusionment from faith in something outside ourselves, realism as selfreliance, he did not believe the world should be compartmentalized, and he thought poverty was the worst possible crime. These are all themes that run throughout Major Barbara as well as many of his other works.

4 Shaw was not, however, the only social reformer of his time who tried to make a difference through literature. Charles Sheldon, born only a few months agter George Bernard Shaw, also made a huge impact on social reform. Sheldon was born into a large family in Wellsville, New York and was raised on the small budget brought in by his father, a Congregational preacher (Miller 1). Unlike Shaws family, Sheldon was raised by honest, hardworking people who lived their lives for what they believed in. He respected his father and mother, and was influenced by his extended family as well. Raised to believe in the value of hard work, and ultimately, the grace of God, Charles Sheldon became a social reformer in the body of a Congregational preacher, like his father. He ended up preaching for the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas. It was there where his practical social reform began, and it was there where he wrote his most famous work In His Steps. In 1891, Charles Sheldon began writing a series of sermon stories and reading them for his Sunday evening services. These stories were fictional, and usually had to do with the impact of Christianity on social reform. Sheldon would read a chapter a week, and he usually ended with a cliffhanger to promote attendance for the next weeks service. In His Steps was the seventh in a series of these stories (Miller 66). The story of In His Steps begins with the Rev. Henry Maxwell, the pastor of the First Church of Raymond (a fictional Midwestern city). Maxwell is interrupted while working on his Sunday sermon by a tramp that is going door-to-door looking for work. Maxwell immediately dismisses him and goes back to his work. That Sunday, in the middle of the service, the tramp appears and confronts the elegant

5 Christians about their so-called discipleship. Soon after, he collapses and eventually dies. This causes the members of the First Church to evaluate their lives and by the next week Rev. Maxwell and fifty of the church members have made the commitment to live their lives by asking what would Jesus do before making any decision and then following through no matter what the consequence (Sheldon). Throughout the story, Sheldon highlights several main characters that represent different issues he wishes to address through the story. These include: a beautiful singer, a charismatic heiress, the editor of the citys daily newspaper, the president of nearby Lincoln College, the railroad shop superintendent, a powerful merchant, a talented surgeon, and a successful young author. These Characters represent Sheldons primary targets the pampered, the shrewd, the lettered, the wealthy, the gifted (Raikes 1) Throughout the rest of the story, each of the characters are confronted with difficult decisions on how to carry out their pledge, and some face difficult consequences such as the loss of jobs, friends, and social standing. For those that stick to it, however, the social change is enormous people are saved from poverty and drunkenness, housing projects are renovated, beauty and culture is brought to the slums, and word of the reform in the town reaches even as far as Chicago, where the movement eventually spreads (Sheldon). The success of In His Steps is astounding. Because of a copyright mix up, the story became public domain, and it was published by thirty or forty companies all over the world (Grecian). In the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Timothy Miller says

6 that the novel has been published beyond anyones ability to track, and he estimates it has sold millions of copies and been translated in about forty-five languages. Years later, the members of the Central Congregational Church where Sheldon once preached approached Phil Grecian to write the play version of In His Steps. He was reluctant at first, but eventually agreed. The play ran for several years at the Church until he was asked to move his play into the historic Jayhawk theatre. Today the cast is waiting for the theatre to be restored, and they are currently touring the country with the show. When they are able to move into the theatre, they will do a three-month run of the show every summer (2). Despite the frequent showings of In His Steps, the show continues to sell out. The Topeka Capital-Journal says that, In His Steps has played to packed houses every year. Three years ago when it appeared at the Columbian Theatre in Wamego, 1,000 people were turned away (1). Why has In His Steps been so successful? According to Grecian there are several reasons. One was the copyright mix up which ultimately allowed the story greater visibility when it was first published. Because of this mix up Charles Sheldon never made very much money off of the story, but the message for reform got out, which, it is assumed, is what Sheldon wanted in the first place. Secondly, the message of In His Steps makes the story accessible to a wide audience. Grecian said, I think it is a simple message that transcends even religion. The message is: be good to each other. I think in our heart of hearts we yearn for a gentler, kinder world. Jesus is obviously a vehicle for that (qtd. In Lubbock 2). Grecian also points out that Sheldon did not include Christian theology in the story. Sheldon never addresses the

7 issue of Jesus as the Son of God, he simply asks, what would Jesus do as a person who was a spiritual leader. This fact allows a wider audience in because it does not threaten someone of another or no religion. Another reason the story has been effective is because of Sheldon himself. Charles Sheldon was an unstoppable optimist and idealist, but there was not a bit of self-righteousness in him. Those who knew Sheldon personally never forgot his contagious spirit. Like George Bernard Shaw, Charles Sheldon was also a socialist, but he was described as a Christian socialist. Perhaps one of the most influential qualities that Sheldon had was that he did not believe that religion had anything to do with social standing or culture. Charles Sheldon was a firm believer that Christianity was practical for every day living and was not to be compartmentalized into the religion only category. Sheldons critics consistently argued that his idealistic approach to reform and religion were impractical. To these he simply replied: This is the everlasting and contemptuous whine of the man who wants Christianity to protect his property and his civilization but does not want to be a real Christian himself because he knows he will stand a chance to lose some of his property if he really does the Christian thing. But in heavens name, if doing as Jesus would do is not practical we have all failed to make a better world (Miller 140). Sheldon also reminded those critics that many were proving the practicality of following Jesus by doing it and that they [the critics] needed to learn that living the wrong sort of life also had its price (Miller 140). Sheldon himself put the teachings

8 of Jesus into practical effect by trying to bring about the kingdom of God on earth. Miller states, Long before it was fashionable (if it ever was) Sheldon argued and fought for basic rights for blacks, women, Jews, and all other minorities. He also worked strenuously for religious reform and for the transcendent cause of world peace. And his reformist zeal made an impact on his community, especially, and on the world (xi). It is clear that Sheldon lived his life the way the characters in his stories tried to live. I am sure that some of the comparisons and contrasts between the work of George Bernard Shaw and Charles Sheldon are already evident. The men were born within a year of each other, they were both socialist reformers, they both used literature and drama as a platform for reform, and they both saw the world as unified. The major difference between George Bernard Shaw and Charles Sheldon is that Shaw felt that idealism was the cause of trouble in the world, and Sheldon used his idealism as a tool for change. So who had it right? One of the main themes Shaw presents in Major Barbara is that we cannot use idealism to get rid of evil. Shaw saw idealists as people who tried to run away from evil or condemn those they did not understand as evil because they were afraid. Jesus (who was an idealist if it is defined as someone who puts faith in something outside themselves) never took this approach. He condemned evil, but not people. He took those who were involved in evil and tried to turn them to good. He never condemned those he did not understand, and he never tried to run away from what he saw as evil. Shaws philosophy, as presented through the character of Andrew Undershaft in Major Barbara, is to rid the world of evil by physically

9 eliminating those who do not wish to change and start over. However, Undershafts philosophy will not work because we cannot get rid of evil in this world as long as there is free will. Even if Undershaft was to kill off all those who chose to remain in poverty, there would be people whose greed and pride would cause them to elevate themselves over others producing slavery and poverty once more. I agree that it is a crime for people to stay poor because they are too lazy to work for themselves, but there are people in the world who are not poor by choice. As long as the freedom to choose is a part of human nature, there will be evil even evil in the form of poverty. A second aspect of Major Barbara that Shaw uses for reform is the way he presents the outcome of the story in a parable kind of way to show how we can have the kingdom of heaven on earth. Shaw makes this point in the play through the metamorphosis of Adolphus Cusins at the end of the play. Once Cusins is renamed Andrew Undershaft, he will continue the reign of the Undershaft legacy. Although the Undershaft name may not be eternal, the immediate future of the family is secured, therefore their kingdom of heaven is assured on earth (Berst 124-125). It is clear that Shaws philosophy works on a personal level the Undershaft family were okay in the end, once they got rid of their foolish ideas of right and wrong and listened to their inner voice of realism but how does this philosophy bring reform in the world? If everyone listened only to their inner will, or Life Force as Shaw calls it, then how do we keep from walking all over each other all the time? If my inner will tells me I want to be powerful and wealthy, then what is going to stop me from doing whatever I need to do to reach that goal, even if I have to hurt someone else (which Shaw would probably refer to as a lesser evil)?

10 On the other hand, Charles Sheldons characters, although they had to make hard decisions, did not believe in lesser evils. They believed that evil is evil, and the only way to overcome evil is through the love that Jesus showed every day to real people who were in need, no matter what kind of personal sacrifice had to be made. This is the same love Charles Sheldon tried to show to the people he encountered in his own life. Ironically, it can be said that Sheldon was a lot like Barbara in the way he took people as they were and tried to imitate the love of Jesus in their lives. The work of Charles Sheldon went further than the personal or intellectual level. Obviously his work has touched the lives of many people outside the world of academia or theatre, as judged by the overwhelming international response the story has created. In His Steps was even added to Eric F. Goldmans list of thirteen books that have changed America, along with The Federalist Papers and Uncle Toms Cabin (Miller 94). In His Steps has also played a part in the development of great leaders such as Josiah Strong, Walter Rauschenbush and Martin Luther King, Jr. (Stauber 1). Sheldons work has affected the lives of many people all over the world because it is a simple, passionate message that calls people to action. Just as Sheldons message was simple and passionate, so was his life. He was widely known as a man who strove with every ounce of his being to live the pure life he advocated in virtually everything he ever wrote (Miller xiii-xiv). The bottom line to Sheldons success is that passion convinces people when it is grounded in something solid. Both Shaw and Sheldon made an impact on society through their work, but I believe Shaws success was mostly intellectual while Sheldons was practical. Shaws

11 philosophy of reform works in theory, especially in Major Barbara, but idealism triggers change in the real world. It is not idealism for the sake of taking focus off of yourself, as Mr. Shaw referred to it; but it is idealism based on something real that fuels leaders like Charles Sheldon, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jesus. Even critics agree that George Bernard Shaw was effective at pointing out the parts of society that needed reform, but he was not effective at showing a way to truth (Baker 4). Charles Sheldon proved that there is a place for idealism in society and in the theatre. This proof still stands today.

Works Cited Baker, Stuart E. Bernard Shaws Remarkable Religion: A Faith that Fits the Facts. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2002. Berst, Charles A. Shaw and Religion. University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1981. Carpenter, Charles A. Bernard Shaw and the Art of Destroying Ideals. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1969. Grecian, Phil. E-mail interview. 12 November 2003. Henderson, Archibald. George Bernard Shaw: His Life and Works. Cincinnati: Stewart & Kidd Company, 1911. Hooper, Heather. In His Steps, the play, continues to reach audiences. The Topeka Capital-Journal 15 March 2000. CJOnline 2003.8 October 2003.

12 In His Steps Still Meaningful Message. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal 1996. Lubbock Online. 8 October 2003. http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/122996/inhis.htm. Miller, Timothy. Following In His Steps: A Biography of Charles Sheldon. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 1987. Raikes, Adrin. An Analysis of Charles Sheldons Liberal Classic In His Steps. 13 October 2003 http://are.as.wvu.edu/raikes.htm. Shaw, George Bernard. Major Barbara. London: Penguin Books, 1993. Sheldon, Charles. In His Steps. Ohio: Barbour Books, 1993. Stauber, Rory W. The Lonely Disciple: Moral Decision Making in In His Steps. Premise, Vol. V, No. 2. April-May 1998. 13 October 2003. http://capo.org/premise/98/April/p980414.html.