“Pygmalion” By G.B.Shaw

Pygmalion is one of the most famous works of George Bernard Shaw and it was written in 1912. This is a well-known story about a professor of phonetics Henry Higgins and a poor flower girl, having Cockney accent, who becomes his pupil. Most critics agreed that Pygmalion was a didactic play, in other words it does have educating meaning. The major focus of the author is related to the barriers, which are built by language differences for individuals of the same society and the same historic period. Shaw was producing his writing during the times of the British Empire convincing individuals from the whole world that all would have to speak English. The problem of language from its stylistic and grammar points of view is related by Shaw to a number of social problems and gender equality discussions. Such composition is responsible for increasing of the popularity of Pygmalion and the writing was even later transformed into the musical film adaptation My Fair Lady. The play is devoted to the theme of profound and complex transformation of a young girl under the impact of her masters, reflected not only in change of her pronunciation and phonetics, but her overall personality, her reconsideration of the world around her and her desire for further independence.

During the first act of the play the author does not provide the real opportunity for the audience to have clear picture of the basic qualities of Eliza. All what is known about her is that she is not able to utilize the English language correctly and moreover she absolutely lacks basic manners. She is a bright example of a low class flower girl, trying to earn her money from the good-looking gentleman Colonel Pickering. Then the girl reveals herself in a negative light, when she is protesting against being accused of prostitution. At the very beginning of the play the author provides the opportunity for the readers realize how vulgarian in terms of language was Eliza, how many problems she had with her pronunciation. She says: “If I was doing it proper, what was you laughing at? [To Higgins] Have I said anything I oughtn’t.” (Shaw 1994).  The major achievement of Higgins was not only changing her phonetics, but also contributing to significant changes in her manners. The initial aim of Eliza, when she arrived to laboratory living room of Higgins, is not to learn phonetics, instead she aims at adopting of the middle-class manners, which seem to be so attractive to her and unnecessary to her father and Higgins himself. Eliza assumed that only those manners would help her to join the respectable middle class, which is not possible without appropriate pronunciation and manners. The situation changes along with Eliza’s developing devotion to her both masters. This devotion was rejected by Higgins and finally the girl would make her efforts to earn her independence and during the next stage of her development.

Eliza is presented as a different person in Acts IV and V, her transformation is evident to the readers. She managed to become a poised and dignified lady, able to seize control over her temper and emotion; she is absolutely distanced from vulgarity of her past behavior. “Eliza enters, sunny, self-possessed, and giving a staggeringly convincing exhibition of ease of manner.” (Shaw 1994). Along with this new peculiarities of her character start to develop. She is not ready to adhere to her master Higgins any more, she is struggling for her independence – “I’ll talk as I like. You’re not my teacher now”. (Shaw 1994). Here the roads of a master and his pupil go in different directions. The intention of Higgins is to change the world and Eliza is focused only upon her own personality. Finally it becomes evident that Eliza would have her future with Freddy, building a comfortable home with him, whereas Higgins would continue his contribution into making the world better.

Overall, Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw is a great piece of literature, presenting a number of social problems and relations between various classes, points out the social barriers, existing in any society due to various characters, backgrounds, and education levels.

Works cited:

Shaw G.B. Pygmalion. Dover Publications; FIRST EDITION, 1994

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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