Symbolism in Heartbreak House
...nt and disliked by most of the characters. This is why she becomes heart-broken and frustrated "I will not be ignored and pretended to be somebody else." This shows that show is against the idea of colonization specially the English one in other world; Shaw uses his characters to criticize English colonization and the cold attitude of the English people. Another idea that show seems to be criticizing is the capitalist system. Mangan represents the negative side of the capitalist system; he does not care about any human relation ships including friendship. This is why he destroys Ellie's father, his friend; instead of helping him "I am a man that knows how to take care of himself." Shaw means to emphasize that the capitalist system – hides its ugly and merciless face under the mask of goodness. Ellie, who represent England, refuses to marry Mangan, who represents capitalism: this is meant to stress the fact that England should reject capitalism as a system "there would be no blessing on our marriage." Another important symbol is the house itself. The house is built to resemble a ship. This ship represents England which is drifting towards the rocks. In other words, Shaw criticizes the social, economic and political life of England emphasizing ...