Feminine Sensibilities in G. B. Shaw's Getting Married

Abstract The present paper concerns with women’s experiences in the society, their emotions and interactions with other persons in G. B. Shaw’s Getting Married (1988). The dramatist draws our attention towards the feminine voices against patriarchal system, male domination, gender inequality, traditional norms and established social values. However, feminism is divided into three phases. Each phase has its own value and important. The movement of feminism and its various phases are inspired by Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), which laid foundation of feminism. It believes in equal rights, equal opportunity and gender equality. The first-wave feminism deals with the right to vote. The second-wave concerns with various issues of women like education, marriage and career. The third-wave feminism draws our attention towards individualism, transgender studies, problems of black women and rights of abortion. However, G. B. Shaw’s Getting Married (1908) contains three main characters named Lesbia, Leo and Edith who are the ardent and staunch followers of feminism. Lesbia rejects male domination by denying the General’s several marriage proposals. She jerks male chauvinism by expressing ultra modern views on marriage children and husband. Leo surpasses Lesbia’s views by wishing two husbands at the same time. Having hated the domestic works like washing clothes and cleaning utensils, Edith wants to do job and makes her career. Even she wants remuneration for domestic works. All these three women characters try to break conventional values by creating their own identities as modern women.