Transcript The_Devil_s_Disciple

The Devil’s Disciple
About
The Devil's Disciple is the only play by
George Bernard Shaw set in America, and
takes place during the time of the
Revolutionary War. It is the fictitious
story of Richard Dudgeon, an American
hero. It was first published in Shaw's 1901
collection Three Plays for Puritans (which
also included Captain Brassbound's
Conversion and Caesar and Cleopatra).
Plot
• Richard Dudgeon is secretly a rebel, and is
considered by his family and friends to be The
Devil's Disciple because he has turned his back on
Puritanism, his distaste for religion, and his
rebellious character. The main reason, however,
why he became "devilish" is because of his disgust
at his mother’s rigid piety. As an act of defiance,
he fled this pious lifestyle for a life of freedom.
In Act I, however, upon his father’s death, Dick
returns home to hear his will being read. His
wickedness is shocking to everyone, but none
more so than Judith Anderson, wife of Anthony
Anderson.
Plot
• In Act II, there is a shift in perception of Richard: he
becomes a hero. While visiting Anderson's home, Dick is
suddenly left alone with Judith while Anderson is called out
to Mrs. Dudgeon's deathbed. Neither Dick nor Judith finds
their impromptu meeting comfortable, and Judith expresses
her disapproval of Richard’s lifestyle to him. British soldiers
then enter the Anderson household, arresting Richard and
mistaking him for Anderson. Richard plays along with the
soldiers, but also swears Judith to secrecy, asking her to
ensure that her husband does not disclose the true nature of
the mistaken identity. Anderson arrives and hears what has
happened. This is a turning point within the play, and he
seems to turn into a different man. He cries for money and
a gun and he rides off, leaving Judith alone. Judith then
sees her husband as being a coward, and now regards
Richard as being a hero.
Plot
• In Act III, Judith visits Dick. She is curious to know whether he has
acted out of love for her, but Richard refutes this. He explains
that, in fact, he was overcome by a sense of decency and doing
the right thing. Richard is then later sentenced to be hanged.
General Burgoyne appears for the first time here, and makes a
number of satirical comments about the American Revolution.
Dramatically, Judith reveal that Richard is not Anderson, but her
revelation is fruitless and it is decided that Richard should still be
hanged. Burgoyne is informed that that American rebels have
taken command of a nearby town, and he realises that he, along
with his troops, are facing danger. He is told that the rebels are
sending a man to negotiate with the British. Climactically,
Burgoyne demands that the hanging be instantly stopped, as the
rebel has arrived. The rebel is revealed to be Anthony Anderson! In
an instant, he has turned from being a man of the cloth to a man
of action and adventure. Anderson asks that Richard is spared, and
General Burgoyne acquiesces. The Americans celebrate, and the
British leave.
Melodrama
• The play is a MELODRAMA.
• This means that the play is very
exaggerated in order to heighten an
audience’s emotional involvement with it
and in its characters. There is much
melodrama in the play, both through the
words and through the actions of each of
the characters.
Melodrama
• There are many examples of melodrama in
the play. Find 5 of your own. Don’t refer
to things generally: instead, quote.
Melodrama
• For example, “She tried to look at Richard,
but turns away with a frightful shudder, and
falls on her knees in prayer” (Judith), p.92;
• “Essie screams with terror and falls on her
knees, hiding her face”, p.67; and
• “Judith, with a sudden effort, throws her
arms around him; kisses him; and swoons
away, dropping from his arms to the ground
as if the kiss had killed her”, p.59
Puritanism
• George Bernard Shaw disliked the concept
of Puritanism, which is the idea of being
compelled to follow one fixed, rigid, laiddown law. The character of Richard allows
us the opportunity to consider Puritanism,
and we are prompted to ask ourselves
whether he has been a noble man or a fool,
particularly when comparing his actions to
those of Anthony Anderson.
Puritanism
• Mrs Dudgeon, Richard’s mother,
embodies all that GBS despised. To him,
she is “the barren form and observances of
a dead Puritanism”, Act I, p.23.
• Typically, this form of Puritanism
disapproved of entertainment, such as
theatre and film.
• Puritans also demanded PIETY (religious
devotion) at all times.
Puritanism
• Now read pages 1-15 and take as many
shorthand notes as you can on Puritanism
and what you understand it to mean within
the context of the play. Don’t talk about it
generally – refer to it in the play and discuss
what it means in The Devil’s Disciple. This is
an integral part of the play. You shall, in
pairs, be presenting to the class a short 1- 2
minute talk on Puritanism on Monday, so
this is your opportunity to prepare for it.
Characters
• Write a profile of Richard Dudgeon,
Anthony Anderson and Judith Anderson.
• Use quotations from the play to back up
your points.
• Remember, someone is portrayed best
through their actions. Refer CLOSELY to
the text, i.e., quote, to back up every point.
Richard as a hero?
• Every melodrama has a hero. Richard is the
clear hero in Acts I and II of TDD, and this is
clear from the way that he dominates the
full play and overshadows all other
characters.
• Lawyer Hawkins talks of him being “cock of
the walk”.
• Although in Act III his demeanour is
different, he still has the moral upper hand
when arguing with General Burgoyne.
Richard as a hero?
• However, by the end of the play, who do we
consider to truly be more heroic: Anthony
Anderson or Richard?
• Richard has become significantly more
resolute, and there is doubt as to whether
he has allowed himself to be swayed by a
romantic notion of becoming a hero. Why
would he give himself up so willingly for
Anderson? What would he do this? Does it
make any sense?
Richard as a hero?
• Anderson, it could be argued, is the true hero of
Act III. He is a “man of action” rather than a
“man of the cloth”, and indeed, Richard states
“Minister – I should say Captain. I have behaved
like a fool” (p.95).
• Revisit p.95 again and examine the dialogue
between Richard and Judith. Judith sees him as
being a hero, but does Richard really believe
that he is a hero? Or is he just feeling sorry for
himself? Is Anderson the true hero of this act?