Idealism in Major Barbara
Idealism in ''Major Barbara''
I believe there are two different types of people: those who view matters realistically and those who view matters idealistically. Realists only concern themselves with practical issues rather than those that are imaginary. They attempt to see things the way they really are and have the tendency to face facts. Idealists have thoughts or behaviors based on concepts of things as they should be. They try to see things the way they would want them to be in order to feel contempt about impractical visions. When I was younger: I viewed many things idealistically more so than I do now. For instance, the importance of praying before every meal was stressed in my church and at home. Consequently, I thought that it was absolutely necessary to pray before eating. Currently, however, I see this as being an impractical obstacle for putting yummies in my tummy. In the play "Major Barbara", one of the primary conflicts is idealism versus realism. Barbara Undershaft, one of the main characters, faces this conflict as an inner struggle. I feel that she is idealistic throughout much of the play but becomes more realistic towards the end.
One aspect that Barbara views idealistically is in her religion. She is a salvationist who thinks that people primarily come to the West Ham shelter in seek of religious guidance. She shows this by attempting to whiteness to everyone visiting the shelter but did not really concern herself with seeing that they got fed. Realistically, most of the visitors were there mainly because they were hungry. Barbara also believed that people should help others because of love for them. She tried to get Peter Shirley, one of the visitors, to help clean up at the shelter for this reason. Peter did it help out, but he did due to owing the shelter a meal instead of for love.
Next, Barbara views the relationship with her boyfriend, Adolphus Cusins, idealistically. She believes that Cusins joined the army strictly because he had the same ideals and moral ethics she does. Because of this, she taught him how to march and play the drum. Realistically, Cusins joined the army so he could get closer to Barbara. I can relate to this when I remember believing that everyone in...