Topic > Prostitution in Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw

Shaw implicates society as a whole in the business of prostitution by exposing the underlying socioeconomic conditions that serve to exploit the poor and make "immoral" occupations such as prostitution viable options for lower class women to break out of the cycle of poverty. Furthermore, the capitalist economic system allows those of a higher social class to benefit (especially in monetary terms) from the prostitution business, as they are seemingly in control of the lower social classes who engage in prostitution, while maintaining a facade of respectability. Furthermore, Shaw involves society as a whole by demonstrating that its perception of prostitution is incorrect and is simply based on the prejudice of the upper social classes against prostitution and stereotypes of the working class. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayShaw engages society as a whole by showing how the capitalist economic system provides the basic conditions for and perpetuates prostitution. To profit from the working class, the top of society tends to exploit the workers of the lower classes. Shaw clearly highlights the exploitation of the working class through the characterization of Mrs. Warren as a representative voice of the working class and structurally through the comparison of Mrs. Warren to Vivie. Mrs. Warren justifies prostitution by stating, “You think I grew up like you? able to choose my way of life? Do you think I did what I did because I liked it, or because I thought it was right, or wouldn't I have preferred to go to college and become a lady if I had the chance?” Shaw's use of diction is extremely effective here since the repetition of the words "choose" and "chance" serves to highlight the fact that prostitutes are simply forced to prostitute themselves since since the word "choose" implies that one can choose something between two or more alternatives, the fact that the lady Warren had no choice shows that lower class women have no other alternatives to escape the cycle of poverty other than prostitution. Unlike those of a higher social class, lower class women are unable to pursue an education superior due to their financial constraints and, therefore, they are exploited by the upper classes since their lack of education has prevented them from pursuing their ambitions in life. Furthermore, through the numerous rhetorical questions that Mrs. Warren asks Vivie, we can see that Mrs. Warren is infuriated by society's perception that prostitutes are immoral. for not only has society contributed to the factors behind prostitution, but it judges all prostitutes by a common yardstick, as immoral, even though prostitutes were forced into prostitution due to their circumstances. Society itself (through the capitalist economic system) has denied lower-class women many opportunities to improve their socioeconomic status, with the result that numerous working-class women have resorted to prostitution not only to improve their socioeconomic status but also to be free from the exploitation of the upper classes. Thus, Shaw uses the character of Mrs. Warren to highlight the irony of society's prejudice against prostitutes since they themselves have caused the conditions behind prostitution. The exploitation of lower class women by the upper classes is evident from the treatmentreserved for lower class workers. . Mrs. Warren's half-sisters are representatives of the lower-class workers. They are described as “poor honest, hungry-looking, hard-working creatures.” Shaw's use of diction is extremely effective here as the word “hungry” literally implies that the workers were starving. This shows the poor working conditions that the workers faced and could not even meet their basic needs. We can also interpret the word “hungry” metaphorically. Since the workers were unable to satisfy their basic needs, we can infer that they were deprived of a sustainable wage, in the same way that a hungry person is deprived of food. The harrowing image of lower-class women toiling and on the brink of death serves to highlight the cruelty of the upper classes who put profit above the well-being of their workers. Likewise, the word “creatures” shows that lower-class workers were dehumanized by the higher echelons of society and that they were completely subordinated to the upper classes. Thus, this serves to accentuate the mistreatment of lower class workers as their superiors viewed them as subhuman and consequently refused to provide them with basic human needs. Therefore, the capitalist economy is responsible for creating the factors behind prostitution as the upper classes exploit the lower classes for monetary gain and then pay their workers starvation wages to increase their profits, which causes the workers of the lower classes remain trapped in slavery. the cycle of poverty. Furthermore, the fact that “honest” and “hard working” workers were unable to raise their socio-economic status and remained at the mercy of their superiors, demonstrates that these “moral” and honest jobs are harmful to the well-being of blue workers. -collaborators even if deemed socially acceptable. Therefore, lower-class women were afraid of being perceived as immoral by society and had no choice but to take up these blue-collar occupations. Therefore, society is involved in the business of prostitution as women who want to break out of the cycle of poverty do not have the means to do so due to the capitalist economic system and have to resort to prostitution. Furthermore, Shaw involves every section of society in prostitution. showing how privileged classes benefit in different ways from prostitution while maintaining a facade of respectability. Crofts, a member of high society, states that "If you are going to choose your acquaintances on moral principles, you had better leave this country, unless you want to exclude yourself from all decent society." ."This is Crofts' justification to Vivie for the way he makes a living, running brothels. He responds that most of the country's upper class have acquired their wealth through morally questionable means. The irony here is that "decent" society is morally corrupt and that the only people who could practice Vivie's morals are those who suffer in the lowest ranks of society, such as lower-class women who choose to engage in blue-collar jobs of the diction, it is evident that the “honest” and “hard working” workers were unable to raise their financial status and were under the complete control of their superiors This therefore shows that these moral occupations are harmful to the well-being of the workers , even if they are considered socially acceptable. Most working-class women choose to enter the blue-collar job market becausethey are afraid of being judged immoral by society, as this would have some social implications. The irony of Croft's statement is not lost on Vivie as she begins to question the double standards that the upper classes have for prostitutes, as these so-called respectable members of society have obtained their wealth through immoral means. Furthermore, members of the upper class continue to use money obtained from prostitution to support their lifestyle, even if unintentional. Vivie's scholarship to study at Newham was sponsored by Croft's brother, who ran a factory that paid its female workers starvation wages. Although it is not stated directly, when Croft asks Vivie how else these orphaned workers could support themselves financially, it is implied that these women turned to prostitution to provide basic necessities as there were no other employment opportunities available to them disposition. Thus, the workers in Croft's brother's company are essentially prostitutes since without the money earned from prostitution, they would probably have starved and would not have been able to work in that company. Therefore, Vivie herself is implicated in the prostitution industry as her grant has come at the expense of the prostitutes working in Croft's brother's business. She had indirectly benefited from the prostitution industry which she had completely ignored and deemed immoral. Since Vivie is representative of upper class women, we can see that upper class women are “just as bad” as” those who are directly involved in the prostitution industry and this shows that the upper echelons of society indirectly benefit from the prostitution industry prostitution. However, the privileged classes are not considered so immoral since they manage to hide their involvement in the prostitution industry. Crofts himself states that the "class of people" to whom he would introduce Vivie would not "so far forget as to discuss my affairs". Through Shaw's use of diction, it is evident that the “class of people” that Croft is referring to are the upper classes of society. The fact that they do not “forget so far” implies that most of the upper classes of society are directly involved in the prostitution industry. The words "forget oneself" imply that the upper classes of society would not question Croft's business endeavors, lest he reveal that they too profit from the prostitution industry and consequently lose their façade of respectability. This not only serves to highlight the hypocrisy of the upper classes of society who belittle prostitutes but profit from the prostitution industry, but also shows that the upper classes of society hide their shady involvement in the prostitution industry in order to preserve their reputation in society. Furthermore, the company “does not ask uncomfortable questions”. Shaw's use of diction through the words "does not ask" shows that society does not even suspect that the so-called respectable upper classes are involved in such an immoral industry as they truly believe that the upper classes are morally superior. This also allows the privileged classes to maintain their façade of respectability as society does not even suspect that they are involved in these immoral activities. Therefore, they can openly condemn the prostitution industry without facing any repercussions. Therefore, Shaw involves every part of society in prostitution, showing how the upper classes benefit in numerous ways from prostitution, all whilemaintaining a facade of respectability. Finally, Shaw involves society as a whole, showing that its perception of prostitutes is flawed and based on the prejudices and stereotypes of the privileged classes about the working class. This is seen through Vivive's characterization. Vivie is essentially an upper class woman who has pursued a higher education and thus finds many viable job options that would grant her the socioeconomic status she deserves. So, unlike Mrs. Warren, Vivie has numerous job prospects and is not limited to working in blue-collar occupations. Therefore, we can assume that Vivie's initial view on prostitution is that of the upper classes of society. Vivie dismisses Mrs. Warren's argument that her circumstances made it necessary to engage in prostitution, but Vivie dismisses this 'excuse' by stating that “People always blame their circumstances for who they are. I don't believe in the circumstances. The people who get ahead in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, they create them." This explains Vivie's naive view on prostitution as she believes that her own circumstances don't matter. and that even in unfortunate circumstances, members of the lower classes can still pursue their dreams without being involved in prostitution. She assumes that workers are unable to achieve success easilybecause they are unambitious or lazy. However, it fails to realize that lower-class women do not have the same opportunities as her because, due to their lack of higher education, they are exploited by the upper classes. Her mind, however, changes after Mrs. Warren describes her struggle to survive in contrast to the privileges that Vivie has obtained. Vivie's original opinion, therefore, seems narrow-minded and naive. Vivie's logic was that of many people in the upper echelons of society and was seen as a kind of justification for discriminating against prostitutes. . Because the upper classes have not experienced what being a lower class woman entails, they do not understand the limitations that lower class women face in terms of job prospects and therefore assume that these women choose to enter prostitution and the fact that these women would do it. choosing to "sell" their body instead of making a living at a regular office job makes them immoral as they lack basic self-respect. Society therefore believes that prostitution is immoral since during the Victorian era, society viewed the upper classes as the epitome of moral standards and since the upper classes were prejudiced against these so-called immoral prostitutes, society was too. Shaw highlights the absurdity of society's perception of prostitutes through the characterization of Mrs. Warren. Here, Ms. Warren speaks on behalf of prostitutes and so we can assume that most prostitutes have this opinion of themselves. Ms. Warren believes that prostitution is not immoral, but rather that prostitutes' newfound independence gives them self-respect. Mrs Warren asks Vivie: “And how much is a woman worth? how much is life worth? without self-respect!" Through the use of exclamation points, Shaw highlights Mrs. Warren's indignation at the belief that prostitution is degrading and immoral as she believes that for a lower class woman, prostitution provides them with self-respect and makes their life meaningful.Moreover, her rhetorical question of “how much is life worth?” allows the reader to fully empathize with Mrs. Warren since rhetorical questions.