Key Facts about Saint Joan
Publication and Historical Context
- Written by George Bernard Shaw in 1923
- First performed in New York City at the Garrick Theatre in December 1923
- Published in book form in 1924
- Won Shaw the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925
Shaw wrote Saint Joan shortly after Joan of Arc's canonization by the Catholic Church in 1920, making the play particularly timely and relevant to contemporary discussions.
Play Structure
- A chronicle play in six scenes and an epilogue
- Follows the historical events of Joan of Arc's life from 1429 to 1431
- Epilogue takes place in 1456, during Joan's rehabilitation trial
- Written in prose rather than verse, unlike many historical dramas
Historical Setting
- Takes place during the Hundred Years' War between England and France
- Set primarily in various locations across France:
- Vaucouleurs
- Chinon
- Orleans
- Rheims
- Rouen
Understanding the historical context is crucial for grasping the political and religious tensions that drive the plot.
Major Themes
- Individual conscience versus institutional authority
- Faith and reason
- Gender roles and power
