Title significance of "Pygmalion"

 Title significance of "Pygmalion" play by George Bernard shaw

"Pygmalion" is a play by George Bernard Shaw that was first performed in 1913. The play tells the story of Henry Higgins, a phonetics professor who takes on the task of transforming Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl, into a refined lady of society. The title "Pygmalion" is a reference to the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with a statue he has created and brings it to life.

The significance of the title "Pygmalion" is multifaceted. On one level, it references the central theme of transformation and creation. Just as Pygmalion creates a statue and brings it to life, Higgins creates a new identity for Eliza and transforms her into a lady of high society. However, despite the success of his project, Higgins finds that he cannot control Eliza or her emotions, just as Pygmalion cannot control the actions of his living statue.

Furthermore, the title "Pygmalion" highlights the complex relationship between creator and creation. In the play, Higgins sees Eliza as a project or experiment, rather than a human being with her own desires and agency. This mirrors the relationship between Pygmalion and his statue, which he sees as a perfect creation that exists solely for his own pleasure. Ultimately, both Pygmalion and Higgins come to understand that their creations have their own lives and desires, and cannot be controlled or manipulated.

The title "Pygmalion" also speaks to larger themes of social mobility and class identity. Eliza's transformation from a rough and uneducated flower girl to a refined lady of society highlights the idea that social class is not fixed, but rather can be changed through education and refinement. However, the play also critiques the idea of social mobility, as Eliza's transformation is not without its costs and conflicts. The play suggests that true social change requires more than just a change in appearance or manners, but a fundamental shift in societal values and structures.

In conclusion, the title "Pygmalion" is significant because it references the themes of transformation, creation, and the complex relationships between creator and creation. It also speaks to larger themes of social mobility and class identity, and critiques the idea that social change can be achieved through superficial changes alone.

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