Bernard Shaw

Mrs. Warren's Profession Bernard Shaw

Vivie Warren, a thoroughly modern young woman, has just graduated from the University of Cambridge with honours in Mathematics, and is available for suitors. Her mother, Mrs. Warren, arranges for her to meet her friend Mr. Praed, a middle aged, handsome architect, at the home where Vivie is staying. Mrs. Warren arrives with her business partner, Sir George Crofts, who is attracted to Vivie despite their 25-year age difference. Vivie is romantically involved with the youthful Frank Gardner, who sees her as his meal ticket. His father, the Reverend Samuel Gardner, has a history with Vivie's mother. As we discover later, he may be Vivie's out of wedlock father, which would make Vivie and Frank half-siblings. Mrs. Warren successfully justifies to her daughter how she chose her particular profession in order to support her daughter and give her the opportunities she never had. She saved enough money to buy into the business with her sister, and she now owns a chain of brothels across Europe.