Equality and Social Class in Pygmalion Essay - 1594 Words

Equality and Social Class in Pygmalion The idea of ranking individuals based upon their wealth and behaviors has endured through all cultures, countries, and times. George Benard Shaws Pygmalion addresses an individuals capability to advance through society, an idea as old as social distinction. Shaw does so through the social parable of a young English flower girl named Eliza Dolittle, who after receiving linguistic training assumes the role of a duchess. She receives instruction, as a bet, by a self-absorbed language professor named Henry Higgens. However, Eliza does not take her social ascension alone, as she is joined by her drunken father Alfred P. Dolittle. The manner in which they rise from poverty demonstrates†¦show more content†¦Moreover, the strongest point of Shaws social commentary is Elizas inner feelings of equality, mostly with Higgens (Lorichs 134). Though, personal equality results from an individuals innate humanity, social behaviors form class separations in Elizas London. Social habits separate people into communal divisions. Shaws depiction of language and pronunciation becomes not only a distinction between classes of people, but the only distinction between classes of people, completely preventing social equality (Mugglestone 377). Differing social actions or ideas establish a gulf that separates class from class and soul from soul (58). To draw attention to the distinctions in classes and lifestyles, Shaw stresses the outward distinctions between a variety of classes (Lorichs 139). Shaws most incredible insights during his social commentary is into the social interaction of language with the finely graded social stratification that speech habits reflect. (Boardsmore 715) Moreover, personal behaviors limit social mobility. Elizas poor and improper pronunciation of English limits her advancement through society. Also, through Shaws depiction of the close correlation between linguistic usage, social stratification and social mobility he demonstrates how poor pronunciation both creates social boundaries and limits individuals to them (Beardsmore 719). Shaw usesShow MoreRelatedMiddle-Class-Morality and Comments on Class and Social Standing made by Shaw in Pygmalion564 Words   |  3 PagesMiddle-Class-Morality and Comments on Class and Social Standing made by Shaw in Pygmalion George Bernard Shaws play Pygmalion is the story of Henry Higgins, a master phonetician, and his mischievous plot to pass a common flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, off as a duchess at the Embassy Ball. In order achieve his goal, Higgins must teach Eliza how to speak properly and how to act in upper-class society. The play pokes fun at middle class morality and upper-class superficialityRead MoreHow Have The Texts You Studied Explored Social Values?1243 Words   |  5 PagesSTUDIED EXPLORED SOCIAL VALUES? 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