Man and Superman : Complete Summary

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Act I – 

  • The play begins in the home of Roebuck Ramsden, an older man who considers himself a wise, moral person.
  • Ramsden learns that a friend, Mr. Whitefield, has died and made John Tanner (a rebellious young thinker) one of the guardians of his daughter, Ann Whitefield.
  • Ramsden doesn’t like Tanner. He thinks Tanner is dangerous because of his radical ideas.
  • Ann, however, likes Tanner—and not just as a guardian. She’s clever and determined. Secretly, she wants to marry him.
  • Tanner is shocked to be her guardian and suspects Ann is planning something, but he doesn’t yet realize she wants to trap him into marriage.

Analysis: This act introduces the characters and the battle between old-fashioned views (Ramsden) and new ideas (Tanner). It also shows how Ann is starting to chase Tanner, even though society expects men to do the chasing.

Act II – 

  • Tanner argues with Ann, Ramsden, and others about marriage, women, and society.
  • He believes marriage is a trap and thinks women are more powerful than they appear.
  • Ann flirts with Tanner and confuses him even more.
  • Tanner decides to run away from Ann to avoid getting married. He leaves with his chauffeur, Straker, hoping for freedom.

Analysis: This act shows Tanner running from love and responsibility. He wants to be free and live by philosophy, but Ann is slowly outsmarting him.

Act III – 

  • This act is a dream Tanner has while resting in the Spanish countryside.
  • In the dream, he becomes Don Juan, the famous womanizer from legend.
  • He debates with the Devil, Donna Anna (Ann’s dream-self), and the Statue (Anna’s father’s ghost).
  • The conversation is about life, love, women, men, heaven, hell, and the future of humanity.
  • Don Juan (Tanner) argues that the goal of life is to evolve into better human beings (the "Superman" idea).
  • The Devil likes comfort and laziness, but Don Juan wants progress, even if it’s hard.

Analysis: This is the philosophical heart of the play. It explores big questions about human purpose, evolution, and the power of love and women. Shaw uses this scene to explain his ideas in a funny but thoughtful way.

Act IV – 

  • Tanner wakes from the dream and ends up back with Ann.
  • After all his running and philosophizing, he finally realizes that Ann has been in control all along.
  • She wants to marry him, and he gives in—not because he is defeated, but because he finally understands her strength and purpose.
  • They agree to marry.

Analysis: The final act shows that Ann wins not by force but by natural power. Tanner realizes that women are the true drivers of life and progress, and marriage, rather than a trap, is part of a bigger mission.


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