Mrs. Warren's Profession

Mrs. Warren’s Profession addresses the issues of prostitution, economic challenges faced by women, and the moral views of working-class women. The play centers on the relationship between mother and daughter, Kitty and Vivie, who both desire independence. 

Vivie is one of the main characters, known for rejecting traditional gender norms. Her behaviors and ideas are considered "man-like," such as drinking whisky and smoking. Vivie represents the "new woman" of her time. She gains independence from her mother's influence, who also prides herself on financial self-sufficiency. Vivie fights against social morals and gender expectations, rejecting marriage and striving to earn her own money. She seeks financial independence and a meaningful life on her own terms.

Kitty and Vivie share some traits but are fundamentally different people. The play highlights the generational conflict between them. Kitty comes from the working class and has earned her money through prostitution, using it to gain respectability. In contrast, Vivie, who attends university with her mother's money, aims to achieve respectability through her own efforts and hard work. She desires to accomplish something remarkable in her life.

Kitty expects Vivie to conform to traditional expectations, urging her to marry and be an ideal daughter. However, Vivie rejects her mother's hypocrisy and control, ultimately severing ties with her to pursue her own path. This decision makes Vivie financially and emotionally independent.

The play also explores the idea of friendship between men and women. Mr. Praed is an artist who respects Vivie and represents skepticism and rebellion against conventions. He is a friend of Kitty but has no connection to her professional life. Sir George Crofts is a villainous character lacking morals, seeing Vivie as a potential wife. He is wealthy and tries to bribe Vivie into marriage, having invested in both prostitution and Vivie's education. Frank represents the new generation and gender reversal, looking for marriage unlike Vivie. He uses youthful language and has a disrespectful manner. Rev. Samuel Gardner, Frank's father, represents hypocrisy and the church, being more interested in social respectability.

Each character in the play symbolizes different social groups and characteristics, used by the writer to critique Victorian society. Through their interactions and conflicts, the play reveals the complexities and hypocrisies of the era.