The Devil's Disciple

Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 156K words
Chapters: 16

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Devil's Disciple by Bernard ShawAuthor: Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Jan 1, 2003

Editor's review

This is a play by Bernard Shaw set against the American War of Independence, yet it does not dwell on battle scenes; instead, through reversals of plot, it examines the misalignment between hero and traitor, morality and circumstance. The unexpected swapping of identities and stances among the characters forms the play's satirical core and continues Shaw's habitual interrogation of social prejudice. As a script, it features witty dialogue, concentrated scenes, and briskly advancing conflict, making it suitable for readers interested in dramatic structure and satirical technique. While reading, note the gap between what characters say and what they do—this is often the key to understanding the author's intent. Of moderate length, it can be finished in one or two sittings and works well as an introduction to drama or as material for English literature selections.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Shaw's plays and satirical technique
Readers who want to understand English-language plays set against historical backgrounds
Teachers and students who need a short play for classroom discussion
Readers who enjoy reversals of character stance and moral issues

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting battle scenes and historical detail
Readers who prefer long narrative novels
Readers unaccustomed to the dramatic genre and dialogue form

Reading tips

Gain a basic background in the American War of Independence first; the plot will read more smoothly.
While reading, note the contrasts between characters' words and deeds, and record key turning points.
Try reading aloud in roles to appreciate the satirical rhythm of the lines.
After finishing, revisit the relationship between the title and the protagonist's actions, and consider what "the Devil's disciple" means.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this a serious historical play?

No. It uses the American War of Independence as a backdrop, but its focus is the reversal of characters' stances and moral satire; history is only a frame. Readers should not expect battle scenes or historical reconstruction, but rather the social critique revealed in the dialogue.

Can I understand it without experience reading drama?

Yes. The script has concentrated scenes and few characters, with dialogue driving the plot, so the barrier to entry is low. It is advisable to read the character list and scene descriptions first, clarify the relationships, then enter the dialogue, reading stage directions as well.

How difficult is the English original?

As a play, the language is mainly dialogue with short sentences, but it carries Shaw's wit and period expressions. Readers with some English foundation can try the original; if it proves difficult, follow a Chinese translation to understand the plot, then read the original.

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About the author

Shaw, Bernard, 1856-1950 Author

Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish playwright and critic. Public information about the details of his life is limited, yet his works have had a profound influence. The collection here contains 53 of his works, covering drama, criticism, and discursive essays. His representative works include Pygmalion, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Man and Superman, Candida, Caesar and Cleopatra, Major Barbara, and Arms and the Man. His plays often use witty, sharp dialogue to explore such issues as social class, gender relations, moral hypocrisy, and idealism, combining comic tension with argumentative force to form a distinctive style of drama of ideas. Shaw was skilled at presenting conflicts of ideas through exchanges between characters, turning the stage into a place of public discussion and exerting an important influence on the development of modern English-language drama.