Shaw explores the artificiality of class distinctions throughout Pygmalion. Trace this theme throughout the play. What classes are represented in the play? On what factors is membership based? Which characters strive to move above their class? Which wish to stay as they are? What are their reasons?
Throughout the course of Pygmalion, social class is depicted as something that can, however difficult it may be, be changed. Eliza Doolittle begins the play working as a poor, low class flower girl, but by the end of the play is transformed into a high class lady. Eliza and the Eynsford Hills are the only ones that actually strive to move up in the world, while everyone else seems content with where they are (though admittedly most of them are already sitting at the higher end of the food chain). Mr. Doolittle doesn't mind where he's at, but can't help but wish the 'middle-class morality' were less cruel to the undeserving poor like him.
Pygmalion does a great job at satirically describing the social classes, though, by making the two lowest class characters of the play, Eliza and her father, ascend to the top, especially since it was mostly due to circumstance. Mr. Doolittle's character is not admirable or enviable in any way, and the audience even despises him for how negatively he treats the world and others, yet he is still rewarded at the end of the play. Is this justice?
At the same time, what about Henry Higgins? As one of the main characters whose character includes that of being high in the social structure, he also treats everyone around him poorly. This, however, cannot be attributed to his being a victim of circumstance, for he was treated well all his life. So what point is Shaw attempting to make about the kinds of people in each social class and how they act towards others? The high class treat everyone-- even each other-- poorly, and looks down at everything not regarded as equal. The low class both resents and looks up to the higher classes, and we see that through Eliza's aspiration to better herself and rise in society along with hating how horrible Higgins treats her. What's more, her father Alfred extorts Higgins and Pickering because of their higher status. This all amounts to a cynical view of all three of these classes, and sheds a dark light on how we view others.
Throughout the course of Pygmalion, social class is depicted as something that can, however difficult it may be, be changed. Eliza Doolittle begins the play working as a poor, low class flower girl, but by the end of the play is transformed into a high class lady. Eliza and the Eynsford Hills are the only ones that actually strive to move up in the world, while everyone else seems content with where they are (though admittedly most of them are already sitting at the higher end of the food chain). Mr. Doolittle doesn't mind where he's at, but can't help but wish the 'middle-class morality' were less cruel to the undeserving poor like him.
Pygmalion does a great job at satirically describing the social classes, though, by making the two lowest class characters of the play, Eliza and her father, ascend to the top, especially since it was mostly due to circumstance. Mr. Doolittle's character is not admirable or enviable in any way, and the audience even despises him for how negatively he treats the world and others, yet he is still rewarded at the end of the play. Is this justice?
At the same time, what about Henry Higgins? As one of the main characters whose character includes that of being high in the social structure, he also treats everyone around him poorly. This, however, cannot be attributed to his being a victim of circumstance, for he was treated well all his life. So what point is Shaw attempting to make about the kinds of people in each social class and how they act towards others? The high class treat everyone-- even each other-- poorly, and looks down at everything not regarded as equal. The low class both resents and looks up to the higher classes, and we see that through Eliza's aspiration to better herself and rise in society along with hating how horrible Higgins treats her. What's more, her father Alfred extorts Higgins and Pickering because of their higher status. This all amounts to a cynical view of all three of these classes, and sheds a dark light on how we view others.