Explanation and Analysis of Key Quotes in Saint Joan
The Power of Faith and Divine Conviction
One of the most striking aspects of Saint Joan is captured in this quote:
"I hear voices telling me what to do. They come from God."
This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates Joan's unwavering faith and the core conflict of the play. Shaw presents her divine conviction not as madness, but as a form of exceptional clarity. The straightforward language Joan uses suggests authenticity rather than manipulation.
Political and Religious Authority
A crucial exchange that reveals the power dynamics:
"His Grace is not a theologian. He is a soldier and a statesman."Note
This quote highlights the intersection between political and religious power in medieval society, a central theme throughout the play.
Gender and Power
Consider this revealing exchange:
"You are a fine soldier, I know; and you have crowned the King and all that. But now I tell you as a father that you must not go about in men's clothes. It is abominable. You must stop it."
Shaw uses this quote to demonstrate:
- The period's rigid gender expectations
- The paradox of Joan's military success versus societal constraints
- The Church's attempt to control not just faith, but identity
