(A Romance in Five Acts) Pygmalion (A Romance in Five Acts)

Is it about Romance? Pygmalion is subtitled a ‘Romance in Five Acts” The ambiguous ending belies the traditional romantic ending the audience may expect. Is the play instead a romance between: Man and woman (Eliza and Higgins) Man and his art (Higgins and his teaching powers) Woman and herself (Eliza becoming an independent woman)

Is it about society’s morals and values? Shaw uses humour and irony to depict the difference between the Edwardian Working class and Upper class. Think about: Mr Doolittle’s morality – and how he is forced to become ‘decent’ Eliza’s transformation – that leaves her fit for neither society Freddie’s position in society - too upper class to work, too poor to survive alone. Higgins’ attitude – is his absolutism (treating everyone the same) the best way to behave? Eliza’s morals and values – better than Higgins?

Is it about hypocrisy? How do the upper class treat the working class and vice versa? Think about: Clara’s use of slang What Doolittle thinks Higgins wants Eliza for How Higgins perceives Doolittle and treats him How Doolittle treats his daughter Higgins’ swearing How Pickering and Mrs Pearce treat Eliza when she first calls on Higgins How the upper class ladies (Mrs Higgins/Eynsford-Hill) spend their time Eliza’s morals

What about the Stage Directions, Symbols and Motifs? Thunderstorm of opening and social mix of characters sheltering together foreshadow the social mixture of the play’s plot and the breaking apart of social convention in it. In the first Act everyone is introduced in roles (Higgins is ‘The Note-Taker’ etc)– showing how the Edwardian society categorises people. Eliza’s fine dresses and jewellery are symbols representing the key idea -– how people can dress in the right style but not necessarily have the inner beauty/grace/intelligence to support it. Outer beauty does not make a person happy or complete. ‘The weather and one’s health’ – acceptable topics for upper class conversation betray the thin veneer of hypocrisy in the upper class where one is judged by voice and looks alone, no one is really interested in anyone’s thoughts, feelings and motivations. (Compare feisty, funny Eliza to dull, trying- to- be-fashionable Clara.) Parallel scenes – Eliza’s first call on Higgins and their final scene. In both she tries to leave but she only has the independence and strength of character to leave him at the end of the play, in the first scene he tempts her to remain with chocolates – showing how she has learned to resist material temptations. Eliza values emotional nourishment more at end of play.

What about the Stage Directions, Symbols and Motifs? The mirror Eliza avoids – a symbol of self knowledge and morality in the play. Jewellery – Eliza’s is hired, the idea is that the outer layers of finery are enough to fool the upper class. But Higgins buys her a real ring which she returns when she leaves him, as it is a symbol of their real, solid relationship.

One can see the whole play as: An intentional deconstruction of the genre of Romance An intentional deconstruction of the myth of Pygmalion An intentional deconstruction of the English class system and its beliefs An investigation into the transforming power of language