The trial and execution of Joan of Arc serve as the catalyst for a profound examination of individual conscience against the rigid structures of church and state. Joan, a young peasant girl driven by divine voices, seeks to liberate France from English occupation, only to find herself trapped by the political and religious machinations of those she serves. The narrative follows her rise as a military leader and her subsequent fall, framed through a series of six scenes and an epilogue that dissects the nature of sainthood and institutional authority. Shaw utilizes a non-linear, retrospective framework to challenge the historical perception of his protagonist, positioning her as a proto-nationalist and a radical individualist.

This play is widely regarded as one of Shaw's most significant contributions to the dramatic canon, frequently analyzed for its intellectual rigor and historical revisionism. Critics often highlight the play's ability to transform a traditional martyr narrative into a complex debate regarding the nature of authority and the cost of non-conformity. The work is noted for its sharp, argumentative dialogue that forces the audience to confront the uncomfortable intersection of faith and politics. The epilogue remains a point of intense discussion, as it shifts the tone from historical realism to a surreal, meta-theatrical reflection on the legacy of the protagonist.