Saint Joan: A Chronicle Play in Six Scenes (Penguin Classics)

Book Details

• Publisher: Penguin Random House

• Author: George Bernard Shaw

• Language: English

• Edition: Reissue

• ISBN: 9780140437911

• Pages: 192

• Cover: Paperback

• Format: Deckle Edge

• Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.0 x 0.5 inches

About the Book

Saint Joan is one of George Bernard Shaw’s most celebrated and enduring plays, reaching the pinnacle of his career in 1923. Through the story of Joan of Arc, Shaw crafts one of his finest and most complex characters—an impassioned young woman who defies the political, religious, and social norms of her time. With a forceful and vital personality, Joan becomes an icon of rebellion, challenging the values and institutions that surround her.

This play delves deeply into themes of politics, religion, and the concept of creative evolution. Shaw uses Joan’s trial and ultimate martyrdom to explore the conflict between individual conviction and societal forces, raising timeless questions about the nature of power, authority, and the pursuit of truth. Shaw’s portrayal of Joan is both sympathetic and critical, showing her as a figure ahead of her time, misunderstood and ultimately sacrificed for her beliefs.

Saint Joan remains a striking commentary on the complexities of human nature and the role of the individual in shaping history. This reissue edition, with its thoughtful presentation, offers readers a profound exploration of Shaw’s vision and the enduring legacy of Joan of Arc.