Pygmalion
p. 18
• Higgins does not consider Eliza as an equal (squashed cabbage leaf).
• The idea that our assumptions are not always correct. The reader assumes that
Higgins has a distaste for her (no right to be anywhere). In reality, he is degrading
the accent and not the person.
• Higgins’ socialistic concern
• Higgins is so in love with his own talent that he believes he can pass Eliza off as a
duchess.
• Just like Pygmalion (the mythical character), Higgins is in love with his talent.
p. 29
• Eliza’s free will is taken away a bit when Pickering changes the conditions. She was
ready to pay for the lessons.
• Higgins and Pickering have little at stake with the bet. On the other hand, Eliza’s
future is at stake.
• Eliza is not considered as an equal (experiment).
• Shaw’s philosophical idea: life is about seeking pleasure. Eliza is a pleasurable
project.
• The difference between the upper and lower classes. Upper class has the luxury to
be bored.
• The clothes are a symbol of her original self. Eliza cannot return to her past self.
p. 33-34
• Shaw mocks the literary conventions, the rags to riches story.
• The idea about the more you analyze, the less you act.
• Higgins does not think about the consequences of the transformation.
• Mrs. Pearce is the voice of reason.
• Higgins is progressive: Eliza is young and should not care about the future.
p. 18
• Higgins does not consider Eliza as an equal (squashed cabbage leaf).
• The idea that our assumptions are not always correct. The reader assumes that
Higgins has a distaste for her (no right to be anywhere). In reality, he is degrading
the accent and not the person.
• Higgins’ socialistic concern
• Higgins is so in love with his own talent that he believes he can pass Eliza off as a
duchess.
• Just like Pygmalion (the mythical character), Higgins is in love with his talent.
p. 29
• Eliza’s free will is taken away a bit when Pickering changes the conditions. She was
ready to pay for the lessons.
• Higgins and Pickering have little at stake with the bet. On the other hand, Eliza’s
future is at stake.
• Eliza is not considered as an equal (experiment).
• Shaw’s philosophical idea: life is about seeking pleasure. Eliza is a pleasurable
project.
• The difference between the upper and lower classes. Upper class has the luxury to
be bored.
• The clothes are a symbol of her original self. Eliza cannot return to her past self.
p. 33-34
• Shaw mocks the literary conventions, the rags to riches story.
• The idea about the more you analyze, the less you act.
• Higgins does not think about the consequences of the transformation.
• Mrs. Pearce is the voice of reason.
• Higgins is progressive: Eliza is young and should not care about the future.
