“Contravening the glory of war” War and Women

Sean O'Casey (1880-1964) is a playwright who is renowned for championing the cause of victims. His writings exhibit his empathy towards the woes and agonies of the sufferers. In all his plays he has never supported any violent action as the solution to the ailments of the society. He is against the war, violence and bloodshed. Through his realistic as well as anti-heroic play, The Plough and the Stars , he has tried to draw attention of the masses to the miserable plight of women who are wives of the war martyrs. This article focuses on the loneliness of women and their pitiable conditions once their men leave for the war in the name of patriotism. The playwright questions the loyalty of these soldiers who neglect their familial duties and forsakes their wives and children to save the honour of their motherland. They fail to value the concrete and run after the abstract.