{"product_id":"candida-george-bernard-shaw-9798897183494","title":"Candida","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCandida\u003c\/strong\u003e is a play by \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge Bernard Shaw\u003c\/strong\u003e, first performed in \u003cstrong\u003e1894\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is a comedy-drama that explores themes of \u003cstrong\u003elove, marriage, gender roles, and idealism versus reality\u003c\/strong\u003e. The play subverts traditional romantic tropes by presenting a love triangle where the expected outcome is cleverly reversed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe play takes place in the home of \u003cstrong\u003eReverend James Morell\u003c\/strong\u003e, a popular and respected Christian Socialist minister in London. He is deeply devoted to his wife, \u003cstrong\u003eCandida\u003c\/strong\u003e, and believes their marriage is perfect. However, their world is disrupted by the arrival of \u003cstrong\u003eEugene Marchbanks\u003c\/strong\u003e, an idealistic young poet who is in love with Candida.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMorell\u003c\/strong\u003e is a strong, charismatic speaker and a confident husband.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCandida\u003c\/strong\u003e, his intelligent and graceful wife, seems perfectly content.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEugene Marchbanks\u003c\/strong\u003e, a sensitive and emotional young poet, declares that Morell does not truly understand or deserve Candida.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorell dismisses Eugene's affections as childish infatuation, but Candida remains amused and intrigued by the young poet's passion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEugene confronts Morell, arguing that Candida is \u003cstrong\u003etrapped in a dull, predictable marriage\u003c\/strong\u003e and should be with someone who truly \u003cstrong\u003eworships her\u003c\/strong\u003e-namely, Eugene himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMorell, shaken by this challenge, begins to doubt whether Candida loves him as deeply as he has always assumed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCandida is forced to \u003cstrong\u003echoose between her husband Morell and the young poet Eugene\u003c\/strong\u003e. However, rather than selecting one over the other in a romantic way, she makes an unexpected declaration: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe chooses \u003cstrong\u003eMorell-not because he is strong, but because he is the weaker of the two men\u003c\/strong\u003e and needs her more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis twist reverses the expected gender dynamic: instead of Candida being the one who needs a strong protector, she is the \u003cstrong\u003epowerful figure\u003c\/strong\u003e who holds both men emotionally in her hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCandida challenges Victorian ideals of \u003cstrong\u003epassive, submissive wives\u003c\/strong\u003e. She is \u003cstrong\u003eclever, witty, and in control\u003c\/strong\u003e-able to see through both men's illusions. Unlike the typical love triangle, she does not belong to either man; instead, \u003cstrong\u003ethey both belong to her\u003c\/strong\u003e in different ways.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen \u003cem\u003eCandida\u003c\/em\u003e was first performed, audiences were surprised by the ending. Many expected a dramatic, passionate choice, but Shaw's \u003cstrong\u003esatirical and feminist approach\u003c\/strong\u003e turned the love triangle on its head. The play remains one of Shaw's most celebrated works, influencing later portrayals of independent female characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e George Bernard Shaw\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798897183494\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Lushena Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/23\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 94\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.34lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.26d","brand":"George Bernard Shaw","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48487348863231,"sku":"9798897183494","price":13.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_24bae7f5-151e-45b4-ba86-160054816e01.jpg?v=1778059962","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/candida-george-bernard-shaw-9798897183494","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}