Metamorphosis of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion by George...

The Metamorphosis of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw The benefits of acquiring an education are not limited to the academic aspects often associated with it. Part of the edification it bestows includes being enabled to reach new insight, being empowered to cultivate a new awareness, and being endowed with a new understanding of life and of self. In Bernard Shaws Pygmalion, Eliza Doolittle experiences this type of enlightenment as the result of undergoing a drastic change in social status. With the sponsorship and guidance of Colonel Pickering, Eliza, a common street flower vendor, receives phonetic instruction from Professor Henry Higgins and is transformed into an elegant and refined duchess (817). Eliza†¦show more content†¦Shaw describes that Eliza is hysterical and much distressed (807) as she continues to defend the innocence of her intentions. Eliza copes with the situation in a state of being that is emotional, uncontrolled, wild, and frenzied because she is unsure that she is indeed blameless and irreproachable. Elizas over-sensitivity is the product of her insecurity. For this reason, being far from reassured (807) as Shaw describes, Eliza repeatedly affirms her virtue making statements like Im a good girl, I am (808). Although Eliza asserts her pride proclaiming that [her] character is as good to [her] as any ladys and that [she had] a right to be [where she liked], Shaw describes that she does so with feeble defiance (810) which indicates the weak level of confidence she possessed. By the middle of the play Elizas self-image has been altered through the enlightenment that comes to her as the result of the education she receives from Henry Higgins and the mannerisms she learns from Colonel Pickering. Eliza gains self-esteem by the merit of her accomplishments, but her self-confidence still lacks strength because she becomes dependent on the reassurance of Higgins and Pickering. Evidence of Elizas changed personality is found in the plays climatic scene where Shaw uses description to convey her disposition. The excessive sensitivity (806) and unwavering pride that was present in Elizas character at the beginning of theShow MoreRelatedSocial Class in Pygmalion1049 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Pygmalion†, by George Bernard Shaw, is a modern metamorphosis of the story Pygmalion, legendary sculptor and king of Cyprus, who fell in love with his own statue of Aphrodite. At his prayer, Aphrodite brought the statue to life as Galatea. In his own play, Shaw reveals a twist in the Greek myth, where by he transformers a flower girl into a duchess through the power of speech. The author uses this mythology to portray aspects of Victorian England common social class classification. The author usesRead MoreAppropriation Of A Key Text From The Past1364 Words   |  6 PagesYear 11 Preliminary Extension English 2015 Essay: Appropriation of a Key Text From the Past Pygmalion – George Bernard Shaw Pretty Woman – Garry Marshall (dir.) 1990 Question: How have the texts you have studied explored social values? George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion and its appropriation, the movie Pretty Woman directed by Garry Marshall both explore the social values of class, namely the construction of the class system and class divisions, individual independence of the female heroine inRead MoreLanguage : Tool Of Empowerment Essay2280 Words   |  10 Pagesconnotations may conjure up feelings associated with joy, inspiration or even empowerment. On the other hand, words that convey a negative meaning may instill images of pain, sorrow or injustice. George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion is an ultimate portrayal of the significance of language in society. More specifically, Shaw aims to critique his concurrent society’s exploitation of women and the working class via his renowned play. However, the irony lies in that though Shaw’s play seem to criticize gender and