Good Intentions
Good Intentions is a play written by George Bernard Shaw that explores the theme of social reform and the role of government in society. The story follows the character of Mr. Smith, who is appointed to a position on a local council with the intention of improving the lives of his constituents. However, he quickly discovers that his good intentions are not enough to overcome the bureaucracy and corruption that exist within the system. Throughout the play, Shaw uses satire and humor to critique the ineffectiveness of government and the limitations of individual action in bringing about meaningful change.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1897 · Genre: Philosophical, Satire, Drama · 17 words
First lines
Hell is paved with good intentions, not with bad ones.
All men mean well.
What this Textopian page supports
Good Intentions is listed on Textopian as a play by George Bernard Shaw, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: George Bernard Shaw
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical, Satire, Drama, Literary Fiction
- Length: 17 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Good Intentions by George Bernard Shaw
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Good Intentions?
- How does this play by George Bernard Shaw fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Fairplay by George Bernard Shaw
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- A Mad World My Masters by Charles Kingsley
- Faute De Mieux by George Bernard Shaw
- Virtues And Vices by George Bernard Shaw
Genres
- Philosophical — Explores the concept of intentions and morality.
- Satire — Uses wit to critique human nature and societal norms.
- Drama — Presents a dramatic exploration of human intentions and consequences.
- Literary Fiction — Focuses on character development and thematic depth.
Tags
drama · comedy · social criticism · morality · hypocrisy · relationships · class struggle · human nature · satire · dialogue · conflict · idealism