Candida as a problem play -Marchbanks

Que.16. Discuss 'Candida' as a play of ideas.

Or Discuss 'Candida' as a problem play..

Or Discuss Shaw's 'Candida' as a mystery play.

Or Discuss Shaw's 'Candida' as a domestic comedy.

Or Comment on the title of the play 'Candida'.

 

Ans.Candida : As a Play of Ideas

Introduction-

In Shaw's 'Candida', there is no dispute regarding the heroine of the play, but there is confusion regarding the hero for Marchbanks and Morell are the two leading male characters. Candida's importance makes the title of the play to the point and fully justified. It is a short, simple, attractive title. A frank, open, honest, truthful, sincere, direct and plain-spoken person is called candid. Candida has all these qualities in her character. The main title is justified by this fact. But the subtitle 'A Mystery' demands discussion. Besides, Maurice Valency claims in the first draft of the play, Shaw called : 'Candida, a Domestic Comedy'. When he could not feel satisfied with it, he gave another title to the play: 'Candida, a Mystery'.

'Candida': as a domestic comedy-

It is right to call the play a domestic comedy for the play is based on the theme of importance and responsibility of married life and love. Morell is a great preacher. He is fond of preaching. When there is a conversation about his wife Candida, he preaches the great importance of a happy married life. He regards it a great blessing to have a virtuous wife like Candida. In his opinion, Lexy should not delay in getting a wife like Candida. A happy married life gives the joys of heaven on earth.

"Ah, my boy, get married-get married to a good woman; and then you'll understand. That's a foretaste of what will be best in the Kingdom of Heaven we are trying to establish on earth."

Conflict in domestic life-

There appears a conflict in domestic life with the arrival of Marchbanks. Morell, Candida and Marchtanks are three progressive stages on the road to immorality and irresponsibility. Marchbanks tells Morell that he loves his wife Candida. He claims that he appreciates Candida's qualities while Morell does not care for her. Morell takes his claim lightly and says that Candida is so good that everybody loves her. There is nothing wrong in it if Marchbanks too loves her. Morell likes it that Marchbanks admires his wife. Morell points out that Marchbanks is under twenty and Candida is over thirty. In this case, their love is tender love. It looks like calf love for the mother. Marchbanks points out that Candida is not an ordinary woman. She has a great soul. She has no faith in Morell's vain preaching Candida asks Marchbanks to gift her a nice new brush, decorated with pearls. It hurts Marchbanks' soft feelings that Candida wishes for a scrubbing brush. Being a poet by nature, he wishes to walk in dreamlands with her. He wishes to take her in a boat to far away from the world of cares.

Testing of domestic love-

Marchbanks laughs at Morell who gets Candida's love as if he were buying something in a market. Marchbanks went to her as a beggar. Candida offered him all that he could ever wish. Marchbanks' poetic expression confuses the moral preacher Morell. It fills Morell's mind with foul suspicions. When Marchbanks claims that he is the happiest of all men, Morell envies him. Marchbanks desires nothing, but Candida's happiness. Hearing it, Morell grows impatient. Marchbanks proposes Morell that they both should give up Candida. She should be free to choose between a poor poet and a vain preacher. She deserves to have a worthy lover of her choice because she is a beautiful angel with purple wings. Candida claims that she is no angel and remains satisfied in her little family. She does not wish to visit a dreamland. It is not easy to be a successful wife.

True love and true happiness—

Candida's wisdom enables Marchbanks to understand what is true love and what true happiness. Morell, Candida and Marchbanks are three progressive stages on the road to immorality and irresponsibility. Marchbanks' report alarms Morell that while talking to Candida, Marchbanks felt as if he were standing outside the gate of heaven. But within no time, she became an angel. It dazzled Marchbanks. Marchbanks claims that he worships her. His sensual desires turn into a spiritual longing. Morell confirms what he is, is the result of her errorts. Candida is not only his wife, but also his mother as well as his sister. Hearing it, Marchbanks begins to think in a new way. A new, but true picture of love now appears before Marchbanks. He realizes that love is not hidden in possessing the person whom he loves, but in making sacrifices for the delight of that person.

'Candida': as a mystery –

 Shaw calls the play a mystery for Marchbanks gives up Candida without any complaint.

"I no longer desire happiness : life is nobler than that. Parson James : I give you my happiness with both hands : I love you because you have filled the heart of the woman I loved. Good-bye.

Marchbanks desires nothing, but Candida's happiness. Candida claims that she is no angel and remains satisfied in her little family. She attempts at keeping Morell's mind free from all tensions. As a bird makes her nest, she builds a castle of comfort, luxury and love for Morell. He too is so greatly devoted to her. A new, but true picture of love now appears before Marchbanks. He realizes love is not hidden in possessing the person whom he loves, but in making sacrifices for the delight of that person. Marchbanks develops a great respect for Morell for he cares all the time for Candida whom Marchbanks loves whole heartedly. Candida advises Marchbanks to repeat two lines to himself whenever her memory haunts him.

When I am thirty, she will be forty-five.

When I am sixty, she will be seventy-five.

Marchbanks refuses to believe in what Candida suggests at this time. He is a poet who believes in eternity. He claims that in a hundred years, they shall be the same age. His heart hides a better secret than it. He wishes to depart now. The night outside the house welcomes him. In the world of reality, Candida cannot leave her husband and Marchbanks cannot attain her. But in his dreamland, he is free to sail in a boat with Candida. The night that welcomes him is symbol of hopelessness, caused by his failure in getting Candida. But there is no restriction on his dreams in which he shall embrace her and no vain preacher would come to disturb him.

Conclusion-To avoid controversy of the subtitle, Shaw called the play only 'Candida'.