Abstract: Saint Joan is the only tragedy of George Bernard Shaw, a world famous Irish dramatist. Through the analysis of the weakness in Joan’s character and the political environment in the 15th century, main causes of Joan’ s tragedy are investigated. With detailed analysis, Joan is proved a conceited and stubborn female who comes from a low class, lacks sufficient education, relies on nobody but puts no concern on the power of the aristocracy and Christian church. In 15th century, Joan sacrifices her life in a trap, which is set by three groups of powers ── aristocratic political forces, Catholic church and the King. Through the analysis of her own character and the contemporary social environment, it can be revealed that Joan’ s tragedy is not only rooted in her conceit, stubbornness, poor education and her isolation, but also in the collusion of the aristocracy, the church and the King.

Key words: Saint Joan, tragedy, weakness in character, social environment

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

  1.1 A Brief Introduction to Bernard Shaw

  1.2 A Brief Literary Review of Saint Joan

2. Analysis of the Causes of Joan’ s Tragedy.2

2.1 Inner Cause ── Weakness in Joan

  2.1.1 Conceit and Stubbornness

  2.1.2 Lack of Education and Support

  2.1.3 Ignorance of the Power of Aristocracy and Church

2.2 Social Cause ── Political and Religious Environment in the 15th Century

  2.2.1 Secular Institution──Aristocratic Political Forces

  2.2.2 Religious Institution──Catholic Church

  2.2.3 Nominal Ruler──The King

3. Conclusion.9

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12