Pygmalion

George Bernard Shaw

Published in:  
1913

Experience a witty exploration of social classes and transformation, where a phonetics professor makes a bet to turn a flower girl into a high society lady. This sharp, humorous play delves into themes of identity, femininity, and the power of language.

Essence of the Story

• The story begins with Professor Henry Higgins, a phonetics expert, making a bet that he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl with a strong accent, into a refined woman simply by teaching her proper speech.

• As Eliza transforms, the play explores themes of identity, class, and the artificial nature of social distinctions. The relationship between Eliza and Higgins evolves, highlighting issues of independence, power, and respect.

• Eliza ultimately rebels against Higgins' domineering attitude, asserting her independence. The play ends with an ambiguous future for Eliza, challenging the audience's expectations of a conventional romantic ending and leaving her ultimate destiny open to interpretation.

Summary

George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" is a compelling exploration of social class and identity in early 20th-century London. The play centers around the bet of Professor Henry Higgins to transform Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, into a refined lady through the power of proper speech. As Eliza endures rigorous language and etiquette training, the play humorously critiques the British class system while delving deeper themes of power, respect, and self-identity. The climax sees Eliza triumphantly presented at an ambassador's party, only to lead to a confrontation with Higgins, asserting her independence. Shaw concludes with an open-ended resolution, leaving the audience to ponder the complexities of societal constraints and personal transformation.

Overview

"Pygmalion" is a play by George Bernard Shaw that has become a classic in English literature. The story, set in London at the beginning of the 20th century, revolves around Professor Henry Higgins, a phonetics expert, and Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl with a strong Cockney accent. The play opens with Higgins making a bold bet with Colonel Pickering, another linguistics expert, asserting that he can transform Eliza into a refined lady simply by teaching her to speak correctly.

The first part of the play focuses on Eliza's training under Higgins. Eliza undergoes a gruelling process of learning how to speak in an upper-class dialect. This transformation is not just about language but also involves teaching Eliza the manners and etiquette of high society. Throughout this process, Shaw delves into themes of social class, identity, and the artificial nature of societal norms. The play humorously critiques the British class system, showing how accents and manners can significantly influence one's perceived social status.

As Eliza's transformation progresses, the dynamic between her and Higgins becomes more complex. Higgins treats Eliza as an object of his experiment, often disregarding her feelings and humanity. This leads to conflict and a growing tension between the two. Meanwhile, Eliza begins to assert her independence and intelligence, challenging Higgins' views and treatment of her. This evolving relationship highlights power, respect, and the struggle for self-identity.

The play's climax occurs when Eliza, now capable of speaking like a duchess, is presented at an ambassador's party. Her performance is a triumph, and she is mistaken for a noblewoman. Despite this success, Eliza feels disillusioned and frustrated with Higgins, who fails to acknowledge her efforts and transformation. This leads to a confrontation where Eliza asserts her newfound self-respect and independence, challenging the boundaries of the teacher-student relationship.

The play concludes with an ambiguous ending. Eliza's future remains uncertain, as does the nature of her relationship with Higgins. Shaw deliberately leaves their future unresolved, challenging the audience's expectations of a conventional romantic resolution. This open-ended conclusion invites viewers to ponder the themes of the play and the societal constraints that define and limit individuals. "Pygmalion" remains a poignant and thought-provoking work, exploring the complexities of language, class, and identity in a rapidly changing world.

Why it's classic

"Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw is one of the greatest literary works primarily due to its profound cultural and social impact. Shaw's play challenges established class boundaries and addresses transformation and the power of language. These themes resonated particularly during the early 20th century and remain relevant today. The play's ability to provoke thought and discussion on societal norms has cemented its place in literary history.

Shaw's innovative storytelling is another crucial factor contributing to the work's acclaim. His unique blend of humour, social commentary, and character development significantly evolved British drama. The play's structure and dialogue were ahead of its time, influencing many playwrights and literary figures that followed. Shaw's approach in "Pygmalion" showcases a masterful balance between entertainment and intellectual stimulation, a hallmark of many great literary works.

Lastly, the enduring themes of "Pygmalion" contribute to its status as a classic. It explores universal and timeless issues such as identity, social mobility, and the influence of language on society. These themes resonate with diverse audiences across different eras, making the play a perpetual source of analysis and interpretation. Shaw's exploration of these deep and varied themes ensures the play's longevity and continued relevance, securing its place as one of the greatest books ever written.

Meet the Author

George Bernard Shaw, known as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist who played a pivotal role in Western theatre in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1856 in Dublin, Shaw moved to London in 1876, where he established himself as a leading playwright. His work is renowned for its wit, criticism of social problems, and innovative use of the stage to promote political ideas. A key figure in the development of modern British drama, Shaw's plays often tackled issues of class, gender, and individualism, influencing both his contemporaries and the evolution of modern drama. His most famous works include "Pygmalion," "Saint Joan," and "Man and Superman." Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his work, marked by both idealism and humanity, its stimulating satire often infused with a singular poetic beauty. His legacy endures as a significant and innovative English literature and theatre contributor.

Author's Memorable Quotes

George Bernard Shaw, renowned for his wit and insightful commentary, left a legacy of memorable quotes. Among his most famous are:

• "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." – This quote reflects Shaw's belief in the power of personal agency and the importance of shaping one's identity and destiny.

• "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." – This famous line underscores the importance of maintaining a youthful spirit and the role of playfulness and creativity throughout one's life.

• "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." – This quote highlights Shaw's admiration for those who challenge the status quo and his belief that societal advancement is often driven by individuals who dare to think differently and challenge societal norms.

These quotes encapsulate Shaw's progressive thinking, advocacy for personal development, and belief in the transformative power of individual will and creativity.

One More Thing...

A fun fact about "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw is that it directly inspired the famous musical "My Fair Lady." "My Fair Lady," with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, is a musical adaptation of Shaw's play. Premiering on Broadway in 1956, it became one of the longest-running musicals at the time and went on to achieve enormous success, including a highly acclaimed film adaptation in 1964. Interestingly, Shaw, known for his control over his plays and often skeptical of adaptations, passed away in 1950; thus, he never saw this musical transformation of his work. "My Fair Lady" added a musical dimension to the story of Eliza Doolittle's transformation, making it accessible and beloved by a whole new audience and generation, and it remains a significant part of Shaw's legacy.