Mrs. Warren's Profession

About the book

"Mrs. Warren's Profession" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1893. It centers on Vivie Warren, a bright university graduate who finally meets her estranged mother—only to discover she's a former prostitute and current brothel owner. As their relationship unfolds, Vivie must grapple with her mother's past choices and present business dealings. Shaw crafted this problem play to argue that prostitution stems from economic necessity rather than moral failure, challenging Victorian society's hypocrisies about women's limited opportunities.