In Shaw’s play, which is fairly closely based on the surviving details of the trial of Joan for heresy, but enhanced by Shaw’s understanding, she is presented as a relatively unlearned girl (Shaw has her as unable to read, but the text of the trial itself says she can read), about 20, who has no experience in war, comes forward to lift the siege of a French town.

Some 400 years later she was recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as a “saint.” She has a good deal of success at the outset, but soon runs afoul of the church and crown, is convicted of being a heretic and burned at the stake. The young Joan d’Arc, in 1429 comes forward to say that she has “voices” from God who have instructed her to don the clothes of a male warrior and come forward to lead the French to a victory over the invading English. I would guess most people know the basic story. If you have come across these notes and are not in that situation I would encourage you not to read further notes until you have first read the play itself.

The comments below will assume that one has read the play and basically knows the text. Thus these comments are not written as a review of something one has not yet seen or read. I read Saint Joan in order to think it through and enter into some sort of dialogue with Shaw’s ideas. This play was written first performed in 1924. Book review - By George Bernard Shaw SAINT JOANĪnd comments on critical essays on the play from the 15th century trial, Luigi Pirandello, and Alice Griffin.įrom: BERNARD SHAW’S PLAYS.

Joan of arc by george bernard shaw