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Difference Between Pygmalion And My Fair Lady

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A Fairy-Tale Character in My Fair Lady
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 …show more content…

There are two different versions. The first version is Shaw’s version. Assuming to position Eliza in a real-life situation, Shaw seems to treat Eliza as an ambiguous character, thus the ending is indefinite. Through Eliza’s effort, she has gradually bridged the gap between herself and the life of the upper class people. Nonetheless, she has to face the dilemma: she may either continue to seek independence by making money on her own or be forced to get married to a rich nobleman. The vague ending has carried an implicit message: the female independence and unfair social relationships are yet to be

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