Page 2 - LN #011109010111.docx

PYGMALION: BY- GEOPRGE BERNARD SHAW
Pygmalion is a play by George Bernard Shaw, named after a Greek mythological figure. It
was first presented on stage to the public in 1913.

In ancient Greek mythology, Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures, which then
came to life. The general idea of that myth was a popular subject for Victorian era British
playwrights, including one of Shaw's influences, W. S. Gilbert, who wrote a successful play
based on the story called Pygmalion and Galatea that was first presented in 1871.

The play was well received by critics in major cities following its premieres in Vienna,
London, and New York.
Pygmalion was the most broadly appealing of all Shaw's plays. But popular audiences,
looking for pleasant entertainment with big stars in a West End venue, wanted a "happy
ending" for the characters they liked so well, as did some critics.
THE MAIN CHARACTER IN PYGMALION: THEFLOWER GIRL LIZA DOOLITTLE:
First introduced as the flower-girl in Act One, and called variously Liza, Eliza, and Miss Doolittle,
Eliza is the subject of Higgins and Pickering's experiment and bet. While not formally well-
educated, she is quick-witted and is a strong character, generally unafraid to stand up for herself.
She is a quick learner, and under the teaching of Pickering and Higgins she easily learns to act like
a lady and pass as a member of the upper class. It is unclear to what degree she really transforms
by doing this, and to what degree she merely learns to play a role. In Act Five, she insists that she
really has changed and cannot go back to her old way of behaving or speaking, though Higgins
thinks otherwise. Eliza desires independence but finds herself under the control of men like
Pickering, Higgins, and her father. At the end of the play, she stands up to Higgins and leaves him,
but he is confident that she will come back to him. The play thus leaves it somewhat ambiguous as
to whether or not she ever really achieves some of the independence she wants.
THE STORY IN A NUTSHELL
LIZA DOOLITTLE
Starts as a lower-class flower girl to an independent lady
PROFESSOR HIGGINS
Eliza changes his opinion about pretty women
Gains respect for Eliza
MRS PEARCE
Helper in Higgins household
tell us about Liza
do not believe Eliza to be able to make it as a duchesse
PICKERING
The man behind Liza’s change
When professor Higgins was turning her out PICKERING offers the monetary support.
Climax
after party– what is to happen to Eliza now (slippers scene)
Eliza finally speaks up about what is to happen to her
Nepommuck's scene
at Mrs Higgins at-home with the Eynsford Hill
Will it end well for Eliza?
success after all– Eynesford Hills weakness, Eliza's carism
THE EXTRACT:TO BE A LADY( A BRIEF SUMMARY)

The scene opens at Professor Higgins’ laboratory. Mrs. Pearce informs that a young woman is
waiting for him at the door. They soon learn that she is Liza Doolittle, a flower girl who sells
flowers at the corner of Tottenham Court Road.
She had come to meet Prof. Higgins who is an expert in Linguistics. Liza even offers the professor
a shilling to teacher her refined way of delivering her language, ENGLISH. Mr. Pickering offers to
pay the cost and urges the Professor to take up the project.
Professor Higgins by now is superbly excited and determines to make Liza-A LADY!