Pygmalion

Summary

Pygmalion is a play by Bernard Shaw, written in 1912 and first performed on stage in 1913. The plot centers on Professor of Phonetics Henry Higgins, who makes a bet that he can teach a street flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, to speak English so well that she will be accepted as a lady of high society. During the course of her education, Higgins and his friend Colonel Pickering encounter various challenges, but ultimately the experiment is a success. This transformation not only changes Eliza's speech but also her outlook on life, self-awareness, and place in society. Ultimately, the play touches on themes of social class, self-identity, and human relationships, concluding with reflections on independence and self-respect.

Main Ideas

• Debunking the illusion that external attributes and manners can completely change a person's social essence
• Critique of class society and prejudices related to origin and upbringing
• Exploration of the theme of self-identity and the search for one's own 'self' in society
• Highlighting the differences between a person's inner world and societal expectations
• Contemplation of the influence of language on the perception of personality and its place in society

Main Characters and Their Development

• Henry Higgins: a distinguished linguist and phonetician who becomes Eliza Doolittle's teacher. He takes on the task of teaching Eliza to speak like a lady of high society. Throughout the story, Higgins shows his passion for science and a certain disregard for the feelings of others, but his attitude towards Eliza gradually changes.
• Eliza Doolittle: a young woman from the lower classes who sold flowers on the street, whom Higgins transforms into a lady of high society. Eliza undergoes significant transformation, not only learning proper pronunciation but also understanding the value of self-respect and independence.
• Colonel Pickering: a friend of Higgins and an expert in Indian languages, who also participates in Eliza's education. Pickering is characterized by his kindness and a more subtle approach to Eliza compared to Higgins, playing the role of a benevolent uncle to her.
• Alfred Doolittle: Eliza's father, an impoverished but charismatic and witty man. After meeting Higgins and Pickering, his life undergoes incredible changes, leading him to unexpected wealth and social status.

Interesting Facts

• The title of the play refers to the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had created.
• The main character, Eliza Doolittle, undergoes a transformation from a street flower girl to a lady through learning proper speech.
• The play raises questions about class differences and social mobility in early 20th-century English society.
• Bernard Shaw wrote the play to demonstrate the importance of speech in society's perception of an individual.
• The play was adapted into the popular musical 'My Fair Lady' and the film of the same name, which won several Academy Awards.

Book Review

Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw is a witty and profound play that explores themes of class inequality, gender roles, and personal transformation. Critics note that Shaw masterfully uses dialogue and characters to show how external changes can affect a person's inner world. Special attention is given to the characters of Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, whose relationships and personal changes become the central axis of the plot. The play also raises questions about the nature of human identity and social justice, making it relevant even today. Critics praise Shaw for his ability to blend humor with serious themes, creating a work that both entertains and provokes thought.