Heartbreak House by Bernard Shaw

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About this eBook

Author Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950
Title Heartbreak House
Note Reading ease score: 75.2 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Note Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartbreak_House
Credits Produced by Eve Sobol, and David Widger
Summary "Heartbreak House" by Bernard Shaw is a play written during the early 20th century, specifically between the years 1913 and 1916. This work serves as a critical commentary on the decadent state of European society prior to World War I, reflecting on themes of idleness, social responsibility, and the futileness of the upper classes. The characters largely depict the frivolity and ignorance of the cultured elite, with notable figures like Captain Shotover and his daughters, Hesione and Ariadne, navigating their disordered family dynamics amidst a backdrop of impending war. The beginning of "Heartbreak House" introduces us to a distinctive setting resembling an old-fashioned ship, where the young lady Ellie Dunn anxiously awaits her host, Hesione Hushabye. As Ellie interacts with various characters, such as the eccentric Captain Shotover and the flustered Lady Utterword (Hesione's sister), we witness the confusion and neglect that characterize life in Heartbreak House. The captain's sharp wit exposes the absurdities of their social interactions, and the mundane bickering of the two sisters underlines the themes of estrangement and familial disconnection, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of societal foibles as the narrative unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject World War, 1914-1918 -- Drama
Subject Upper class -- England -- Drama
Subject England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Drama
Category Text
EBook-No. 3543
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Dec 14, 2012
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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