e="font-weight: 400;">George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) expressed his idea of the
Life Force in many plays, including You Never Can Tell (1898). The Life Force refers to a powerful and creative energy within human beings. It helps life to grow, improve, and reach higher stages of development. The Life Force works through love, creation, and human will. In this play, Shaw shows how love between Valentine and Gloria becomes a part of the powerful and creative energy of nature.
Meaning of Life Force: The Life Force means the natural and creative power of life. It drives all living beings to grow, reproduce, and improve. Shaw believed that nature uses human love to continue life’s progress. He said that this power makes humans strive toward higher forms of life. In “You Never Can Tell,” the Life Force works through the attraction between Valentine and Gloria. Their love is not mere emotion but a natural force that fulfills life’s plan.
Love As An Expression of Life Force: For Shaw, love is not only a feeling. It is a tool used by the Life Force to create and continue life. Valentine’s love for Gloria is strong and natural. He says,
“Nature was in deadly earnest with me when I was in jest with her.”
His words show that nature controls love, not human will. Gloria, who first rejects love, later accepts it. Through their love, Shaw shows how the Life Force joins man and woman to serve life’s purpose.
Women as Agents of Life Force: Shaw often presents women as the main carriers of the Life Force. In “You Never Can Tell,” Mrs. Clandon and Gloria represent this creative energy. Mrs. Clandon raises her children with strength and independence. Gloria seems cold and logical, yet she finally follows nature’s call and accepts Valentine.
Scientific and Natural View: Shaw’s idea of the Life Force connects science with emotion. He rejects superstition and romance. Valentine compares love to science when he says,
“No, no, no. Not love: we know better than that. Let’s call it chemistry.”
This shows that love is a natural reaction, not a mystery. Shaw believes the Life Force uses science, reason, and instinct to guide human behavior. It keeps life growing stronger through both mind and body.
Life Force and Human Progress: According to Shaw, the Life Force works to make humanity wiser and better. It pushes people to rise above selfishness and weakness. Through humor and realism, Shaw teaches that human love and intelligence help the Life Force to reach higher levels. The waiter, William, reminds everyone of life’s mystery when he says,
“It’s the unexpected that always happens, isn’t it? You never can tell.”
This proves that life continues in surprising and natural ways.
In termination, we can say that Shaw’s Life Force is the natural power that drives all creation. It works through love, womanhood, and human progress. In “You Never Can Tell,” it appears in Valentine and Gloria’s union, which fulfills nature’s purpose. Shaw’s philosophy teaches that life cannot be stopped or controlled. The Life Force moves humanity forward through love, growth, and the eternal energy of nature.
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