Analysis of "Pygmalion" by Bernard Shaw

Numerous times a piece of literature is changed into a movie or musical it’s plot and or theme has
been changed to suit the director’s thought of what would appeal to the public. One such example is
Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. In this play Shaw’s purpose and ideas were horribly misconstrued to
the point at which he was forced to write an Epilogue to try to reconcile the injustice done to his
masterpiece. In the Epilogue he bluntly expressed his points and purposes so that the ignorant public
could no longer discount Shaw’s theme of the play and change it in to a happy ending love story.
Shaw’s outrage was set off by the director’s construction of characters and dialogue. Character’s roles
were strengthened and belittled according to the director’s purpose. This was accomplished by added
scenes, songs and changed dialogue accompanied with omitted scenes and minimizing other
characters roles. One such character’s role that was altered and changed from Shaw’s entire purpose
was Henry Higgins.The two main things that were altered in Henry Higgins character were his outlook
on life and his profession accompanied closely by his relationship with Eliza. Higgins outlook on life
and profession and over all character was enhanced and did little to change the over all-purpose of
Shaw. But nonetheless in multiple and added and omitted scenes accompanied by songs explaining his
thought process strengthened and changed his character. One such scene was on the street corner when
Higgins told the crowd their origin and dialect. This was emphasized to show Higgins profession and
abilities. Also a dialogue is added to voice Higgins extremist opinion on poor grammar and speech. It
is best said in the quote, not found in the play, “A woman who utters such disgusting and depressing
noises has no right to be anywhere, no right to live. Remember that you’re a human being with a soul
and the divine gift of articulate speech. That your nature language is the language of Shakespeare,
Milton, and the Bible, don’t sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon.” This quote is followed by the
song “Why can’t the English teach their children to speak. These combined immensely strengthen
Higgins views and opinion on language. Later Higgins voices like views on women with Colonel
Pickering through the song “Why can’t a woman be more like a man.” In the play Higgins simply
states he is a confirmed old bachelor but in the movie it is over dramatized in the song. The best
contribution that the movie bestows upon the play is in the dialogue where he expresses his purpose
for taking on the bet. He says what could be more gratifying than changing a person’s class and
character solely through speech. This is and excellent line which captures Higgins purpose
perfectly.The other aspect that was greatly changed which so enraged Shaw was Higgins’ and Eliza’s
relationship. The move transfers from a condescending relationship to a love that will endure. It adds
the scenes and events of Eliza’s teachings, which the play passed by shortly. This is where we see the
change in their relationship. In the beginning of the drills Higgins makes Eliza say a phrase every
night and he says,“ You’ll get much farther with the Lord if you learn not to offend his ears.” Then
later he is drilling her with marbles and she swallows one and he assures her he has plenty more. This
is the character that Shaw would of approved of. For the first time one late night Higgins affirms Eliza
and converses with her civilly and tells her she will succeed. At this moment Eliza can speak clearly
and perform all the drills flawlessly. And it was triggered by Higgins affirmation. Here Eliza is shown
admiring the Professor and has a song in which her feelings are expressed. Then Higgins expresses
that he wants to reward Eliza for her accomplishments. Later scenes show Higgins’ determination and
stubbornness hand in hand with his confidence in Eliza. Many different things fantasize their
relationship such as Higgins’ worry for Eliza at the ball. At the beginning of the movie he wouldn’t
even have thought twice about her welfare. In the last song after Higgins was rebuked and discounted
by Eliza he expresses that he loves and misses Eliza and doesn’t know what he will do without her.
Then at the last scene where Eliza returns and Higgins is overjoyed to see her but contains himself
with the line, “Where the devil are my slippers?” This stripped Eliza of her independence and thus
enraged Shaw.Though the musical strengthened some aspects of the play, it mutilated Shaw’s purpose
of making Eliza independent. In the book at the end Eliza is the alpha person and teacher while
Higgins is the outcast and rebuked by society. But in the musical Eliza and Higgins are falling in love
and Eliza will fetch his slippers. Through this belittled characterization of Eliza, Higgins character is
strengthened. This is just another way of the many that Higgins character was strengthened. The two
points mentioned above are the main changes in the conversion from the play to the musical
adaptation. You ask a person if he has read a certain book; or a student watches a movie or musical; in
substitution for the literature and they think that are the same. But as displayed in this essay the
original literature and the movie or musical can be totally different. This will always be true because
not all literature will be appealing to the public or satisfy its needs and wants for perfect endings and
tranquility. Thus you can never judge a book by the movie. sympathy is intensified when we see
Eliza’s wretched lodgings. These lodgings are much contrasted to those of Higgins in Wimploe S
Pygmalion is a serious analysis of class and gender conflict." Bernard Shaw's play, entitled
Pygmalion, transcends the nature of drama as a medium to be utilised for sheer entertainment value.
Shaw's play powerfully comments on the capacity for the individual to overcome the boundaries
established by systems of class and gender. Dominant assumptions and expectations, may essentially
prevent an individual from becoming socially mobile within a seemingly rigid hierarchical social
structure. However, Liza, the protagonist utilises language as the tool which enables the her to escape
the confines of the lower class and to be regarded as a human of a certain degree of worth within
society. As Liza transforms from flower girl to duchess, the audience is witness to the many ways that
an individual can be dehumanized through the socialisation process. Issues of both class and gender
arise from the tensions within the play that surround the interactions between Higgins and Liza and the
viewer is able to openly question the values that exist within a society that judges the character of
Pygmalion is a sad play. There is no humour in it at all. Discuss. 'Pygmalion' is the story of a London
flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, who is turned into a lady by Professor Higgins, an elocution teacher. This
essay will analyse whether or not 'Pygmalion' is a sad play and whether or not 'Pygmalion' has any
humour in it at all. Some audiences would oppose the idea that 'Pygmalion' has no humour is in, as there
are many comical elements with in the play. For example Eliza's accent at the beginning of the play and
the way in which Higgin's feelings and sarcasm is portrayed. Some people may believe and support the
statement, "'Pygmalion' is a sad play. There is no humour in it at all," as some parts of 'Pygmalion' are
tragic and sad. For example Eliza is treat in a disrespectful and hurtful way by Higgins, "wrap her up in
brown paper till they come," shows how Higgins believes Eliza has no self dignity or respect and
suggests Higgins to be a cold hearted and cruel man. Mrs. Pearce is also abrupt and mean to Eliza to
begin with, this is particularly shown in the incide... "Pygmalion is a serious analysis of class and
gender conflict." Bernard Shaw's play, entitled Pygmalion, transcends the nature of drama as a
medium to be utilised for sheer entertainment value. Shaw's play powerfully comments on the capacity
for the individual to overcome the boundaries established by systems of class and gender. Dominant
assumptions and expectations, may essentially prevent an individual from becoming socially mobile
within a seemingly rigid hierarchical social structure.However, Liza, the protagonist utilises language
as the tool which enables the her to escape the confines of the lower class and to be regarded as a
human of a certain degree of worth within society. As Liza transforms from flower girl to duchess, the
audience is witness to the many ways that an individual can be dehumanised through the socialisation
process. Issues of both class and gender arise from the tensions within the play that surround the
interactions between Higgins and Liza.