Abstract
My paper attempts to peruse Joan's religious fanaticism, reaching us through the perspective of 600 years and then filtered through Shaw's imagination, becoming the protest of a plain-spoken individual conscience. "What other judgment can I judge by but my own?" The events presented constitute the birth of the great changes that would hit the middle-aged Europe in the forthcoming decades. Indeed, if one adopts a post-colonial stance, it is quite possible to see Joan as a champion not only of Nationalism, but also of anti-colonialism. We are shown Joan's posthumous rehabilitation as an example of a modern show trial, and her original court hearing as one of history's terrible state trials. In Shaw's view Joan was, like Jesus, an agent for change, a change within the established church.When Cauchon, the Bishop of Beauvais, cries out: "Must then a Christ perish in torment in every age to save those who have no imagination?" this connection is made plain, and Joan herself endorses it when she tells the court: "I am His Child, and you are not fit that I should live among you." So Saint Joan becomes Shaw's passion play and represents Joan's life as another coming of Christ to our world. KEYWORDS: Fanaticism, nationalism, Saint Joan, torment, trial.
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More From: EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)
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