G. B. Shaw (1856-1950)

Characteristics of his plays 1. Ibsen’s influence in making his plays a vehicle for ideas (problem play), in which various social problems are discussed ; 2. an Irish capacity for jest and a verbal wit equal to that of Congreve or Wilde; 3. a combination of wide social enthusiasms with a gift for

Characteristics of his plays 3.the plot of his plays advanced not by action, but by dialogues(witty and brilliant )like comedies of manners; 4.paradox effectively used, through which the truth is revealed;

Characteristics of his plays 5. use of paradoxical characters, by which, the foolish, or the object of attack tell most striking truth.

Quotations from Shaw 1. The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore allprogress depends on the unreasonable man.

Quotations from Shaw 2. Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. 3.Too True to Be Good. (c.f. too good to be true)

Pygmalion I.Introduction: 1.the title In Greek mythology Pygmalion was a Cyprus king who fell in love with one of his women statues and , moved by his affection for the statue,the goddess turned the statue to life.

Pygmalion I. Introduction: 2.well-known , the basis for the musical play and film My Fair Lady. 3.Professor Higgins takes a flower-seller from the London streets and makes her into a grand lady.

Pygmalion II. Themes 1.the behavior( not ways of talking )really shows the differences between the characters; 2.the most important thing in human relationships is that people care about each other(Eliza); 3.the most important thing is that they help each other to improve themselves(Professor Higgins)