Character Analysis of Candida
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Introduction
In George Bernard Shaw’s play Candida, the titular character is a fascinating blend of traditional domestic values and modern independence. To analyze whether she is a conventional Victorian wife or a "New Woman", we must look at how she behaves with her husband, Reverend James Morell, and the young poet, Eugene Marchbanks. Shaw presents her as a complex figure who seems to be a motherly housewife on the surface but possesses a powerful, independent mind that controls the entire play.
The Conventional Aspect
At first glance, Candida appears to be the ideal Victorian wife. She is charming, domestic, and deeply involved in managing the household. She takes care of Morell's daily needs, ensuring his comfort and protecting him from the harsh realities of domestic life. She is described as possessing a "largeness of mind and dignity of character," yet her domain is strictly within the home. She performs traditional duties, such as peeling onions and managing the servants, which aligns with the Victorian expectation of the "Angel in the House." Her beauty and maternal nature make her an object of adoration for both her husband and the poet.
The "New Woman" Aspect
However, Candida is far from submissive. She embodies the spirit of the "New Woman" through her intelligence, frankness, and autonomy. Unlike a stereotypical submissive wife, she sees through her husband's rhetorical illusions. She frankly tells Morell that it is her love and care that make him strong, exposing his dependency on her. In the famous "Auction Scene", she asserts her right to choose her own destiny. She does not stay with Morell out of social duty or financial necessity, but because she chooses to. This ability to make a free choice based on her own judgment is a defining trait of the modern woman.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Candida is a synthesis of both types. She remains in the domestic sphere (Conventional) but rules it with absolute power and clear-sightedness (New Woman). She chooses the "weaker" man, Morell, because he needs her protection more than the independent spirit of Marchbanks. Her decision is based on maternal instinct rather than social convention. Therefore, while she plays the role of a wife, she is intellectually superior to the men around her, making her a unique Shavian heroine who redefines the role of a woman in marriage.
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