Comparison Of Pygmalion And My Fair Lady

Have you ever wondered if there were other versions of Cinderella? Well there are, there isn’t just one version of Cinderella. Each version is a little bit different from each story because of the culture behind it. For example the “Cinderella” we know and love and the Ireland version the “Cinderlad”.The two cinderella stories, “Cinderlad” the Irish version and “Cinderella” the French version have both differences and similarities. Using the Motif “Damsel in distress” I can show that they are different & similar because of the culture they originated from and their social necessities.

In 1933s New York, director Julian Marsh is preparing a performance of the newest musical ‘Pretty Lady’. With this, he holds auditions for many men and women. Peggy Sawyer, originating from Allentown, Pennsylvania, enters New

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw is a play that shows a great change in the character Eliza Doolittle. As Eliza lives in poverty, she sells flowers to earn her living. Eliza does not have an education. This shows through the way that she does not have the most proper way of speaking. This happens through when Eliza is speaking to the other characters when she meets then when she is still at a low level of poverty in her life. To understand the reasons Eliza is able to change and be changed into an almost Cinderella like character. With Eliza going from and growing and changing through the hardship she faces. In the play Eliza begins with no confidence and works towards having a way to reach trough from learning during her life

The story that most of us know as “Cinderella” actually has a lot of different versions. These different versions contain several elements that are similar, but yet even more elements that differ from one another. The three main difference between all the different versions of this story are the characters, how others treat the main character, and the setting in which these stories take place.

Warner Brothers’ My Fair Lady (1964) a film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion has been seen as a success in terms of box-office profits and popularity of the work. In it, the protagonist Eliza Doolittle’s is portrayed as a Cinderella-like figure: In a short span of time, she rises from a humble family to become a well-mannered lady. It offers “a fairy-tale story” Paul Bauschatz says that is “bound to please most viewers, while retaining its potential for compelling visual display” (17). At the same time, musical components, witty dialogue, and splendid visual effects all have contributed to the popular appeal of the film to the general public. However, it seems to lose the edge of criticism of the conflict of social class and gender issues, as clearly manifested in Pygmalion. Eliza is presented more as a doll-like Cinderella figure than a woman in search of freedom. In the following, the essay is to discuss the transformation of Eliza from the dynamic and growing awareness selfhood to the romantic and pragmatic woman. Eliza’s quest for self-assertiveness and confidence remains, but she seems to lack the inner drive and momentum she used to have. A comparative study of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady (1964) will help learn the

This sudden change in character shows that an upgrade in social class not only changes the way that people look at you but that it can also have many benefits as well. Going against the thesis, there is one character, Colonial Pickering. Colonial Pickering is a friend and a safe haven to Miss Doolittle. She trusts him, and with good reason, from the beginning to the end of the play, he treats her the same, like a lady. ?Colonial Pickering is a compete contrast to the character of Henry Higgins in terms of manners and behaviour. Colonial Pickering is Shaw?s evidence that wealth and poverty can mix.? (Galens and Scampinato, 245). Most characters in Pygmalion expect the rich and poor to stay separate except for the open hearted and minded, Colonial Pickering.

Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering decide to take her to a horse track to test out her skills. The track, of course, is dominated by the upper class. They are all dressed up in gorgeous gowns and nice suits. When Mr. Higgins’ mother finds out about Eliza coming to the horse track, she is disgusted that her son invited a common flower girl to her private box. The upper class does not take too kindly to the lower class. They enjoy and respect their differences, sometimes even push it. While at the track, Eliza screams at a horse to move its “bloomin’ arse,” in her native lower class, crude language. The people of the horse track are shocked by this and cannot believe what they heard. After this, Colonel Pickering wants to call off the bet with Mr. Higgins. Pickering does not believe Eliza could be taught to walk and present herself as a lady at the Embassy

Although many view children's fiction as suitable only to children, and an embarrassingly immature pursuit for a serious person, children' stories mold the way we think. They allows us to look at very complex and difficult issues in a safe and playful way, and they give us the freedom to imagine the unimaginable.

In the movie, Higgins targeted phonological features proper of Eliza’s Cockney dialect. According to Higgins, Eliza’s accent should be modified to “transform” her into a fine lady. The undesired behavior was weakened by a series of reinforcements based on punishment and reward. Eliza was offered chocolate, for example, when she correctly pronounced a set of sentences. Once Eliza achieve the “correct” pronunciation she was offered multiple rewards. For example, she attended the Ascot Horse Race, for which she was offered a new wardrobe.

Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw, describes Shaw’s viewpoint on social class distinctions in the 1900s by describing characters of the upper, middle, and lower classes in the play. Through the characters’ descriptions, language, and actions, the distinction between classes becomes very prominent. Similarly, Galileo, by Bertolt Brecht, describes Brecht’s take on the social class structure during Galileo’s time and how the differences between classes affected Galileo’s opportunity to do scientific research. Both plays depict a society ruled by the upper-class and a lack of coherence among the upper, middle, and lower classes that leads to eventual conflict. In both Pygmalion and Galileo, the authors highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the different social classes in order to critique how the relationships between people from different classes affect their interactions with each other.

Modern Period brought about many transformations in economy, politics, sociology etc. which were reflected in literature such as Drama as well. Literary works are opened for different discussions and point of views. By the dawn of the twentieth century women’s roles and position in the society had changed a lot. The women entered the public and also were allowed to work, but it wasn’t accepted by the male dominate society yet. Two important Modern Drama’s masterpieces written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen and George Bernard Shaw; a Doll's House play written in 1879 by Henrik Ibsen, and George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion written in 1913, depicts the men’s view toward women and their position in the society. Also it is perfectly

     After long, excruciating lessons, Eliza starts to get it and begins to talk in perfect English. Now, its time to try her newly learned skills. In the play, Higgins takes her to his mother’s house, while in the musical he takes her to the Ascot Races. Here they learn that she may speak perfectly, but she still can revert to her “flower girl” ways. This is where Freddy Eynsford-Hills falls in love with Eliza. Eliza’s father is forced into Middle Class after he inherits a large sum of money.

“Pygmalion was written to challenge the class system, traditional stereotypes and the audience’s own views.”

Class distinctions are made abundantly clear in Shaw’s “Pygmalion.” Eliza is representative of Shaw’s view of the English working class of the day: Crude, crass, and seemingly unintelligent yet worthy of pity. Equal criticism is leveled at the upper classes, who pass judgement upon the poor precipitated by their appearance and mannerisms. Higgins and Pickering’s attitude towards Eliza is one of derision, stemming from their difference in social status. For instance, Higgins’ open mockery of Eliza’s speech: “You see this creature with her kerbstone English: the English that will keep her in the gutter to the end of her days.” (Shaw.

The play "Pygmalion" describes the process of the transformation of Eliza, who appears in three images in the story: Eliza begins as a flower girl, then she transforms into a lady with noble accent and in good manners, then an independent woman with self-respect and dignity.