Major Barbara Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Major Barbara Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Loaded

Lomax sits upon an armed shell at Undershaft's factory not knowing it is live. This is a symbol of Cholly's aristocratic belief that everything in the world is his footstool, and that his reasoning is superior than the facts.

Cap and Swipe

Snobby picks up his cap from Adolphus' drum at the Salvation Army. Along with it he swipes the money put there by Bill. This is a symbol of Snobby's using the system to get what he needs, but never paying any price for it himself, instead carrying on with the mindset that lead him to poverty.

Drummer Boy

Adolphus drums his way out of the Salvation Army to the meeting as he plays with Barbara's father who has just written a check for 5000 pounds to the organization. His drumming is a symbol of his being converted to being a supporter of Undershaft and his thinking.

The China and Linens

Lady Britomart tells Andrew that she wants him to give her and the children the land, linens and china that belong to the homes he owns in the town. The symbol of her wants is that she is a woman after the result of what it takes to purchase these finer things in life, she is not however willing to take part in the necessary work that secured it, namely the business of war.

Matches

Lomax lights a cigarette in the live ammunition shed at Undershaft's factory. His matches represent how the aristocratic class could, without knowing it, destroy even the most powerful of men as they are given access to places normal people are not, yet many do not know how to properly conduct themselves.

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