Mrs. Warren’s Profession

Mrs. Warren's Profession is a play by George Bernard Shaw, written in 1893 but first performed in 1902 due to its controversial subject matter. It critiques Victorian morality, gender roles, and economic exploitation, particularly in relation to prostitution and women's limited opportunities.

The play revolves around the strained relationship between Mrs. Kitty Warren, a former prostitute turned brothel owner, and her highly educated daughter, Vivie Warren.

Mrs. Warren is not a simple villain-she is a survivor who made difficult choices in a society that offered her little else. While she is pragmatic and emotionally vulnerable, she remains part of the corrupt system that she once escaped.

The play was banned from public performance in Britain for several years due to its frank discussion of prostitution and economic inequality. When it was finally staged in 1902, it scandalized audiences but also sparked important conversations about women's rights and labor conditions.