Themes in Pygmalion

 Themes in Pygmalion by George Bernard shaw

George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion is a witty satire on the social code and class distinctions in British society during the early 20th century. The plot of the story follows the transformation of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, to a refined and elegant lady who can pass off as a duchess in high society. The play explores several themes, including social class, gender roles, phonetics, and identity.

One of the main themes in Pygmalion is social class. The play illustrates the rgid social structure of Victorian England, where upper-class individuals were considered superior to lower-class ones. Eliza, being a working-class individual, is subjected to ridicule and disdain by the upper-class characters in the play, including Professor Henry Higgins and his friend Colonel Pickering. Higgins sees Eliza as a mere experiment to prove his linguistic theories, whereas Pickering is fascinated with the challenge of teaching Eliza to be a lady.

Another theme explored in Pygmalion is gender roles. The play highlights the social norms dictating the role of women in British society during the Victorian era. Women at that time were expected to be passive, obedient, and submissive to their male counterparts. Eliza’s transformation from a loud-mouthed flower girl to a polished and graceful lady reflects the restrictive nature of gender roles in Victorian society.

The theme of phonetics is another prominent feature in Pygmalion. Higgins, as a professor of phonetics, is obsessed with the way people speak. He believes that a person’s social status is determined by their accent and grammar. His experiments with Eliza are an attempt to prove his theory, but it also highlights the artificiality of language and the superficial nature of social class.

Finally, the play deals with the theme of identity. Eliza’s transformation from a working-class Cockney accent to a refined duchess accent poses a question about her true identity. Does her change in speech denote a change in character? Or is she still the same person underneath her new persona? Eliza’s struggle to assert her individuality and overcome the stereotypes attached to her class shows that identity is not simply linked to one's accent or social class, but also to one's sense of self.

In conclusion, Pygmalion is a richly layered play that explores a range of themes related to social class, gender roles, phonetics, and identity. It highlights the social divide in British society during the early 20th century, while also drawing attention to the superficial nature of stereotypes and the need to challenge them. Shaw’s wit and satire make Pygmalion an enduring work that continues to captivate audiences and provoke thought on a range of social issues.

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