Major Barbara Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)

Quote #1

I think, my friend, that if you wish to know, as the long days go, that to live is happy, you must first acquire money enough for a decent life, and power enough to be your own master. (2.247)

After money and weapons, the third in Undershaft's list of the Top 3 Most Important Things in Life is power (take note, BuzzFeed) and is very important in how it functions as part of Undershaft's notion of "good."

Quote #2

The power Barbara wields here—the power that wields Barbara herself—is not Calvinism, not Presbyterianism, not Methodism— (2.266)

Dolly is kind of in awe of the very unique power that Barbara seems to have in her work at the Salvation Army—she's not a mere follower, in his opinion. Dolly goes on to say "Barbara is quite original in her religion" (2.268).

Quote #3

Just as much as it is your duty to submit to your husband. Come, Biddy! these tricks of the governing class are of no use with me. I am one of the governing class myself; and it is waste of time giving tracts to a missionary. I have the power in this matter; and I am not to be humbugged into using it for your purposes. (3.91)

Despite having been successful in bullying her children and their boyfriends for most of the play, Lady B has definitely met her match with her hubby, who understands that, in terms of status, gender, and money, he's got her over a barrel—and he refuses to pretend otherwise. In other words, he's got all the power here.