Question

george bernard shaw
\you see things, and you say, why? but i dream things that never were, and i say, why not?\ this inspiring statement was made by the dramatic genius george bernard shaw.
if english drama today is both worth seeing on the stage and reading as literature, it is mainly due to the work of george bernard shaw in drama and dramatic criticism. shaw was a drama critic for the saturday review from 1859 - 98. he gained considerable prominence by writing witty critical reviews while working there. he believed the plays that english audiences appreciated at the time were pretentious farces and highly melodramatic. he once said, \progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.\ this clearly reveals his attitude toward the english audiences who he believed were stuck in primitive english customs. his freethinking spirit and views on equality for men and women were greatly appreciated in society.
a number of shaws early plays described the problems of capitalism. a brilliant example of this genre is his widowers houses. the apple cart is another of his plays that examines the theme of corruption in democracy with splendid wit and humor. his most famous play is pygmalion, which wonderfully portrays the theme of equality for women. his quote \we dont stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing\ is one which we all understand and appreciate even today. however, during his time, despite his earnest purpose to be taken seriously by society, shaw remained essentially an entertainer and a master of all the tricks of the entertainment trade.
select all the correct answers
which two statements would the author of the passage most likely agree with?
shaw played a major role in the political revolutions of his time
shaw tempered his early extreme criticism of english society later in his life
shaw was underappreciated in his lifetime because his ideas were highly controversial
shaw sought to convey progressive political and social ideas through comedic drama
shaw had a major formative influence on generations of playwrights.

Explanation:

• Option 1: The passage does not mention Shaw's role in political revolutions.
• Option 2: The passage does not mention Shaw tempering his early criticism.
• Option 3: The passage says that Shaw's plays are now appreciated, but it does not say he was underappreciated in his lifetime because of controversial ideas.
• Option 4: The passage mentions Shaw's plays like Widower's Houses and The Apple Cart which examine themes like capitalism and democracy, and Pygmalion which portrays equality for women. This shows he used comedic drama (as his works were plays) to convey progressive ideas.
• Option 5: The passage says "If English drama today is both worth seeing on the stage and reading as literature, it is mainly due to the work of George Bernard Shaw in drama and dramatic criticism". This implies a major formative influence on generations of playwrights.

Answer:

D. Shaw sought to convey progressive political and social ideas through comedic drama; E. Shaw had a major formative influence on generations of playwrights.