An Unsocial Socialist
by Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
- Free to read
- 6 hours to read
- 19 chapters
- Reading level: 6th grade
"An Unsocial Socialist" by George Bernard Shaw is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story, infused with Shaw's signature wit and social commentary, revolves around the complexities of socialism and individualism, as depicted through a series of engaging interactions among its characters, primarily focusing on young women and their experiences in a college setting. The opening of the novel introduces us to a serene October evening at an English country house, where Miss Wilson, a sensible woman, monitors the antics of her students, Miss Wylie, Miss Carpenter, and Miss Lindsay. The scene unfolds as the girls hastily descend the stairs amid laughter, creating a lively atmosphere that quickly turns to tension when Miss Wilson reprimands them for breaking the rules. Their playful exchanges transition into moments of conflict, touching on themes of rebellion and the struggle against authority. The interactions between the girls reflect their distinct personalities, setting the stage for further exploration of their relationships and the implications of social norms within the context of their education.
- Satire
- Rich people
- Disguise
- Socialism
Read the opening
Chapter I
In the dusk of an October evening, a sensible looking woman of forty came out through an oaken door to a broad landing on the first floor of an old English country-house. A braid of her hair had fallen forward as if she had been stooping over book or pen; and she stood for a moment to smooth it, and to gaze contemplatively—not in the least sentimentally—through the tall, narrow window. The sun was setting, but its glories were at the other side of the house; for this window looked eastward, where the landscape of sheepwalks and pasture land was sobering at the approach of darkness.
The lady, like one to whom silence and quiet were luxuries, lingered on the landing for some time. Then she turned towards another door, on which was inscribed, in white letters, Class Room No. 6. Arrested by a whispering above, she paused in the doorway, and looked up the stairs along a broad smooth handrail that swept round in an unbroken curve at each landing, forming an inclined plane from the top to the bottom of the house.
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About this edition
This free edition of An Unsocial Socialist by Bernard Shaw comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #1654, released 2006-02-22. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Novels, British Literature.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
