The main theme of Major Barbara is centered on conflicting social and moral ethics, one realistic and the other idealistic. On the one hand, there is Mr. Undershaft, who looks at life realistically and believes that poverty is a crime. He accepts that man must have money to take care of his basic human needs, and until those needs are met, man cannot have any intellectual or spiritual pursuits. In contrast are the moralists and idealists, like Major Barbara, who seem to glorify poverty and suffering. They feel that if the poor are treated kindly and given charity, they can turn them into good people, saving their souls. Undershaft believes that such views are hypocritical, for he has lived a life of poverty and knows its pain. As a result, he makes certain that the workers in his factory are given a good life and rise above poverty. He knows that a hungry man cannot think of lofty ideas or worry about his soul. At the beginning of the play, Major Barbara feels that she can save the souls of the hungry and needy who come to the Salvation Army; she idealistically accepts all of their teachings and tenets. During the course of the play, her father, Andrew Undershaft, makes her realize that her idealism must be tempered with reality. Undershaft is also a stark contrast to Peter Shirley, who would rather starve than accept charity or earn money through dishonest means. In contrast, Andrew Undershaft genuinely believes that it is okay to make a fortune from making and selling guns and cannons, as long as the common worker is respected. He also believes it is better to be a thief than die as a pauper. In the final act of the play, Undershaft states the importance of courage and conviction to any cause; it takes honest, committed, and courageous people to make positive change in the world. ...
