Summary of Pygmalion

Pygmalion - Concise Summary

Plot Overview

• Act One: Set at St. Paul's Church late at night; flower girl Eliza meets Higgins, a phonetics professor. He proposes to transform her speech to help her succeed in society.
• Act Two: Eliza seeks lessons from Higgins; a bet is made between Higgins and Pickering on her success. Eliza's father, Doolittle, appears, revealing his disregard for her welfare.
• Act Three: Eliza attends a social gathering, demonstrating her newfound speaking skills. Tension arises as Mrs. Higgins expresses concern for Eliza's future.
• Act Four: Eliza feels ignored, leading to conflict with Higgins, who suggests marriage but Eliza reacts with anger, highlighting their emotional disconnect.
• Act Five: Eliza confronts Higgins, asserting her independence and plans to marry Freddy instead, despite Higgins' disdain. The play ends ambiguously regarding their future.

Ending Analysis

• Audiences expected a marriage between Higgins and Eliza, but Eliza chooses to assert her independence by opting to marry Freddy.
• Shaw believed a marriage between Higgins and Eliza would undermine her autonomy.
• Different adaptations present varying endings; Shaw's intention was to showcase Eliza's growth and self-respect.

Key Productions

• Premiered in Vienna (1913), staged in New York (1914), and opened in London later that year.
• Shaw clashed with actors in the London production but ultimately shaped its successful direction.
• Adaptations include the musical "My Fair Lady" and a 1936 film starring Leslie Howard.

Censorship and Controversy

• The use of the word "bloody" became a notable controversy, showcasing the period's conservative views on language in theatre.
• Despite receiving initial approval, the reaction to Eliza's line highlighted societal sensitivity to language, shifting focus away from the play’s deeper themes.

Conclusion

• "Pygmalion" addresses themes of social class, identity change, and the pursuit of independence, marking a significant commentary on class structures and personal relationships in early 20th-century society.