1. English Pygmalion (1913)

2. Fin de Siècle: “End of the age”
Influenced by French culture, late Victorian intellectual activity was marked by “stylish” cynicism and the failure of democracy to spread wealth and benefits from rich to poor
Growing popularity of socialist movements
An intellectual movement of existentialism and depression
Less sentimental art; more frank and realistic depictions
Fin de Siècle: “End of the age”

3. George Bernard Shaw
1856: Born in Dublin 1871: After minimal schooling, becomes an office boy 1873: Moves to London to join mother 1884: Joins the Fabian socialist society : Works as a music and literary journalist; elected as city counselor

4. Later in life, a full-time dramatist and pamphleteer for socialism
“Second only to Shakespeare in the British theatrical tradition” – non-melodramatic theater
Irish supporter, but anti-separatist
Lost interest in socialism, but voiced support for Mussolini, Stalin, and Hitler; defended Nazi policies
Married late; no children; natural death of kidney failure
George Bernard Shaw

5. Pygmalion (Legend)
In Ovid’s Metamorphoses (AD 8), Pygmalion is a sculptor who falls in love with his creation
- Based on Greek legend

6. Pygmalion (Play) Written in 1912 First performed in 1913 in Vienna
First performed in England in 1914
Adapted to “My Fair Lady” (Stage 1956, Film 1964)

7. Themes
- Contempt for class system: Is class just a performance, a trick?
- Language: Is speech the great social divider?
- Feminism: Does Eliza “win” in the play? Is she justified in feeling used by the men?
- How much of the play serves Shaw’s beliefs? (Shaw was a socialist and feminist – and possibly had an affair with the Eliza actress)

8. My Fair Lady (1964)
- Shaw did NOT want a happy ending where Higgins marries Eliza. How does the movie’s ending change the story’s meanings?