Major Barbara is a play in three acts written by George Bernard Shaw in 1905. First performed in London in 1907, the play is considered one of Shaw's most controversial.The play tells the story of an officer in the Salvation Army, Major Barbara Undershaft, whose father, Andrew Undershaft, is the owner of a weapons factory. The story opens with Major Barbara's mother discussing with her son how she will provide a financial future for her family. She finally decides her only option is to take financial help from Andrew, her estranged husband. When Andrew Undershaft is reintroduced to the family, he visits the idealistic Barbara at the Salvation Army to see her at work, and offers a large donation to the charity. Barbara initially declines the donation because it comes from munitions work, but the commander of the shelter at which she works gladly accepts it.