Selected university questions and answers from Pygmalion

 Discuss the significance of the Pygmalion myth in Shaw's play. How does the story of a sculptor who falls in love with his creation parallel the themes ?

Pygmalion's myth originates from Ovid's( Roman Poet) Metamorphoses and tells the story of a sculptor named Pygmalion who creates a statue so beautiful that he falls in love with it. The goddess Aphrodite brings the statue to life, and Pygmalion's creation, named Galatea, becomes his wife.

As a modern playwright Shaw subverts the myth of Pygmalion in order to assert the transformative power of education and refinement. Professor Henry Higgins, the modern-day Pygmalion, takes Eliza Doolittle, a rough Cockney flower girl, and molds her into a refined lady through phonetics and manners training.

Like Pygmalion, Higgins also feels attraction with his creation, Eliza, not out of romantic love, but rather out of pride in his ability to shape her into a member of high society. The parallel between Pygmalion's sculpting of Galatea and Higgins' sculpting of Eliza highlights the supreme power of language to change the future. Pygmalion's desire for perfection in his creation mirrors Higgins' desire for perfection in Eliza's transformation.

Through the myth of Pygmalion  Shaw critiques the arbitrary nature of social constructs and the role of language and manners in determining one's social status.

Discuss the theme of social class in Pygmalion. How does Shaw explore the impact of class distinctions on the characters and their interactions?

The theme of social class is the major point of discussion in  Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, as the play explores the impact of class distinctions on the characters and their interactions.

Shaw vividly portrays the stark dividion between the upper class, represented by characters like Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering, and the lower class, represented by Eliza Doolittle and her fellow flower sellers. The characters inhabit different social spheres, with distinct manners, speech patterns, and lifestyles.

Through the character of Eliza Doolittle, Shaw explores the possibility of upward social mobility and the fluidity of class boundaries. Eliza's transformation from a Cockney flower girl to a refined lady challenges the notion that one's social status is fixed at birth. Shaw suggests that education and refinement, rather than lineage or wealth, are the true markers of social worth.

Shaw emphasizes the role of language and accent in reinforcing class distinctions. Higgins' obsession with phonetics and his ability to identify a person's background based on their speech highlight the nature of class distinctions based on language and pronunciation. Eliza's successful transformation remarks her ability to adopt the speech patterns and manners of the upper class.

Shaw critiques the patronizing attitudes of the upper class towards the lower class, highlighting the exploitation that often accompany class privilege. Characters like Higgins and Mrs. Pearce view Eliza as a mere object of experiment, rather than as a person deserving of dignity and respect. Shaw exposes the hypocrisy of a society that values manners and refinement over genuine human connection.

Alongside linguistic and cultural differences, Shaw also addresses economic disparities between the classes. Eliza's financial struggles as a working-class woman are contrasted with the wealth and leisure enjoyed by characters like Higgins, Pickering and other characters. Shaw underscores the injustice of a system that perpetuates poverty and inequality based on birth and social status.

Shaw challenges the stereotypes and prejudices associated with different social classes. Eliza's transformation challenges Higgins' assumptions about the inherent superiority of the upper class and forces him to confront his own biases and preconceptions. Shaw suggests that true equality requires recognizing the humanity and worth of individuals regardless of their social background.

Analyze the ending of Pygmalion. What does Eliza's decision to leave Higgins suggest about her character development and the themes of independence and self-determination?

Throughout the play, Eliza undergoes a profound transformation, both in terms of her outward appearance and her inner confidence. By the end of the play, she has gained the skills and social graces necessary to navigate the upper class world.

Eliza's decision to leave Higgins can be seen as a rejection of patriarchal authority and the traditional gender roles that confine women to subordinate positions. Despite Higgins' attempts to control and manipulate her, Eliza asserts her right to make her own choices and determine her own destiny. Her departure signals a break from the power dynamics that have defined their relationship, as she refuses to be treated as a mere object of Higgins' experiment.

Eliza's journey throughout the play is ultimately a quest for identity and self-discovery. By leaving Higgins, she asserts her right to define herself on her own terms, free from the constraints of class and gender expectations. Shaw suggests that true independence comes from knowing oneself and pursuing one's own path, rather than obeying social norms or the expectations of others.

Eliza's decision to seek employment as a flower shop owner further underscores her commitment to self-sufficiency and independence. By embracing her skills and talents, she asserts her worth as a capable and resourceful individual, capable of thriving on her own merits. Shaw celebrates Eliza's individual spirit and resilience, highlighting the importance of economic independence for women in a patriarchal society.

The ending of Pygmalion is deliberately ambiguous, leaving the audience to interpret Eliza's future for themselves. While some may see her departure from Higgins as a triumphant assertion of independence, others may question whether she has truly escaped the influence of the upper class world.

Examine the character of Professor Henry Higgins in Pygmalion. How does his obsession with language and social experiment reflect his attitudes towards class and gender?

Professor Henry Higgins is a complex character in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, whose obsession with language and social experiment reflects his attitudes towards class and gender.

He is a phonetics expert who is fascinated by the intricacies of language and speech patterns. His passion for phonetics drives his desire to transform Eliza Doolittle's accent and manners, viewing her as a mere experiment to prove his theories about language acquisition and social mobility. His preoccupation with language reflects his belief in its power to shape social identity and status.

He thinks that lower classes, including Eliza, as inherently inferior and lacking  intelligence and refinement. His social experiment with Eliza is motivated by a desire to prove that class distinctions can be overcome through education and refinement. However, his arrogance blinds him to the humanity and dignity of those he seeks to transform.

Higgins' interactions with Eliza highlight his problematic attitudes towards gender. He treats Eliza as a mere object of his experiment, dismissing her feelings and autonomy in favor of his own intellectual experiments. His disregard for Eliza's agency and dignity reflects the patriarchal norms of Edwardian society, where women were expected to be subservient to men and restricted to traditional gender roles.

Despite his intelligence and wit, Higgins lacks empathy and emotional intelligence. He is insensitive to the feelings of others, often dismissing their concerns or belittling their emotions. His treatment of Eliza as a social experiment rather than a human being with thoughts and feelings demonstrates his lack of empathy.

While Higgins initially appears as a selfish and arrogant character, he undergoes some growth and introspection towards the end of the play. Eliza's departure prompts him to reflect on his actions and their impact on others.