George Bernard Shaw and Pygmalion

 George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion

Introduction

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist, renowned for his wit, social criticism, and contributions to modern drama. A Nobel laureate in Literature (1925), Shaw’s works often challenged societal norms, blending humor with sharp commentary. One of his most celebrated plays, Pygmalion (1913), explores themes of class, identity, and transformation, later adapted into the beloved musical My Fair Lady.

Bernard Shaw and the Problem Play

Shaw was a pioneer of the Problem Play, a genre that examines contentious social issues through drama. Influenced by Henrik Ibsen, Shaw’s plays dissect:

• Social Injustice: Topics like poverty, prostitution (Mrs. Warren’s Profession), and class disparity.
• Moral Debates: Characters engage in intellectual dialogues, representing conflicting viewpoints.
• Realism: Rejects romantic idealism, focusing on pragmatic solutions.

Literary Tools:

• Didacticism: Plays serve as moral or social lessons.
• Irony & Satire: Highlights societal absurdities (e.g., Higgins’ elitism).
• Wit & Paradox: Sharp dialogue subverts expectations.

Pygmalion, the Play

A romantic comedy in five acts, Pygmalion critiques rigid class structures through the transformation of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, into a refined lady.

The Title

• Mythological Allusion: References Ovid’s Metamorphoses, where Pygmalion sculpts Galatea, who comes to life.
• Irony: Higgins "sculpts" Eliza’s speech but fails to respect her humanity, subverting the myth’s romantic ending.

Plot Overview

The Quintessential Shavian Style

• The Problem Play: Shaw utilizes the stage as a platform for debate on contentious social issues, in this case, the rigid class structure and women's emancipation.
• Didacticism with Wit: The play is intensely moral and instructive, yet its lessons are delivered through sparkling wit, paradox, and intellectual humor, making the social critique palatable and entertaining.
• Subversion of Romance: Shaw deliberately undermines traditional romantic tropes. The relationship between the protagonists is intellectual and combative, not sentimental. The ending defies audience expectations for a romantic conclusion.
• The Power of Language: The play is a testament to Shaw's belief in language as a tool of power and a marker of social identity. The dialogue is paramount, often taking precedence over physical action.
• Iconoclastic Characters: Shaw's characters are often mouthpieces for his own philosophies. They are articulate, intelligent, and delight in challenging conventional morality and societal norms (e.g., Alfred Doolittle's praise of the "undeserving poor").
• Extensive Stage Directions: Shaw’s stage directions are famously detailed and literary, providing rich commentary on characters, setting, and themes, making the play as much a work to be read as to be performed.

Critical Summary

• Class & Language: Shaw argues that accents perpetuate class divides.
• Feminism: Eliza’s growth symbolizes women’s self-actualization.
• Open Ending: Rejects romantic tropes; Eliza’s future remains unresolved.

Literary Techniques:

• Dialect Contrasts: Eliza’s Cockney vs. upper-class speech.
• Farce & Comedy: Alfred Doolittle’s antics lighten social critique.
• Stage Directions: Detailed instructions enhance realism.

Themes

1. Shaw’s Satire on Class Hierarchies

• Language as a class marker.
• Mockery of aristocratic pretensions (e.g., the Eynsford Hills).

2. Feminism

• Eliza’s defiance of patriarchal control.
• Critique of women’s limited roles in society.

3. The Battle of the Sexes

• Higgins’ misogyny vs. Eliza’s resilience.
• Power dynamics in mentor-protégé relationships.

4. Education vs. Nature

• Can nurture override innate class?
• Higgins’ experiment questions social determinism.

Shaw’s Style

• Ibsenist Realism: Problem-driven narratives.
• Wildean Wit: Epigrammatic dialogue.
• Musicality: Rhythmic, persuasive prose.
• Authorial Commentary: Prefaces explain themes (e.g., Pygmalion’s epilogue).

Conclusion

Pygmalion remains a timeless exploration of identity and society. Shaw’s genius lies in blending humor with incisive critique, leaving audiences to ponder: Can true change occur without mutual respect?

"The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she's treated." —Eliza Doolittle