How can Major Barbara (Shaw) and Ophelia be compared?

Question

Any similarities or differences between the two characters?

Answer 1

There are some similarities, but not many. Ophelia eventually becomes insane and commits sucicide. Major Barbara has her faith bashed up by the cold reality of how wealth can buy respectiability. After her father buys the blessings of the Salvation Army, she quits the Army and throws her Salvation Army hat into the Thames. However, that is only a symbol of her faith in the Army, not of her God. It is similiar to the Tempations of Christ in a way, but like Christ she waivers for only a second and then recovers her faith. Ophelia and Barbara are better seen as complete opposites. A better match would be Barbara and Hamlet. (Side Note: try to track down the film Major Barbara with the lovely Wendy Hillery and the young Rex Harrison - it is a wonderful old film.)

Answer 2

Ophelia and Major Barbra both love their fathers even though both have fathers who want things their own way and love to hear themselves talk. Ophelia loses her father to her lover Barbra loses her lover to her father. Ophelia drowns herself physically , Barbra drowns herself figuratively.

Answer 3

Sounds like a nice essay question; tell your teacher I said "congrats."

Answer 4

Gosh, almost sounds like a homework assignment....