Commentary on Pygmalion Essay

Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw portrays the amount of power and control there was between Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Shaws use of different language devices, the structure and context of the play emphasises the relationship between these characters, the social class differences and the Greek myth of Pygmalion. In this essay, I will be analyzing and describing Shaws language, structure and context of his play Pygmalion, as well as my own interpretations to answer my essay question, To explore the ways Shaw uses contrast of power and control between Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle.

The contrast between Higgins and Elizas language throughout the play emphasises the position of both characters. In Act 1 Higgins addresses Eliza in a negative manner commanding her not to sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon. This implies the reader that Higgins is a rude and obnoxious character. Taking advantage of her situation and position in society during that era portray that Eliza is a weak and vulnerable character. The words bilious pigeon express a message to the reader that Higgins is a heartless character and also indicates that Eliza acts like an ill and sick pigeon. The use of a simile in Higgins phrase shows that he is well educated and very intelligent. Eliza responding in a defenceless manner: Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow, shows the reader that at this point in the play her lack in power. Nevertheless, this gradually alters as we read further into the play as we come to acknowledge the strength and power Eliza gains. Therefore, Shaws use of powerful language in Pygmalion contrasts the amount of power and control Professor Higgins had over Eliza Doolittle.

In contrast to this, in Act 2 we see an increase in Elizas strength and power e.g. when she arrives in Wimpole Street in possession of a little amount of money which she is willing to keep in order to learn.

In the beginning of Act 3, Shaw provides evidence that Higgins is eager to show off Elizas improved English to his mother. Here, we see that his respect for Eliza has increased immensely, yet his frustration remains the same. Higgins being nervous as well as excited informs the reader that Higgins likes his work to be of a high standard and that he does his job properly with as little error as possible. She talks English almost as you talk French provides the reader with sufficient information that Eliza developed English is of a high standard and that she is a quick and easy learner: She has a quick ear; and shes been easier to teach than my middle-class pupils. Despite Higgins approach to his mother conveying how greatly Eliza has changed, we learn that all he wants is to pass her off as a duchess in six months, succeeding his bet with Pickering. Shaw shows that Higgins makes sure that he completes every task set out before him whether his intentions are good or not. Eliza in the end of Act 3 is passed of as a Hungarian Princess, gaining a vast amount of power than she had before, equalizing her power to that of Higgins and as a result, Shaw shows that the power and control between both Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle changes through time.

Act 4 is very short but the scene between both Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle shows the stage directions, creating intense imagery of the amount of tension there are between the two characters. Taking no notice of Eliza, both Higgins and Pickering uses third person to talk about Eliza, leaving her upset and distressed. It was interesting enough at first ... but after that I got deadly sick of it, tells the audience Higgins true feelings of teaching Eliza was not any use to him and that he found it dull and a deadly bore. This shows that Higgins looses his respect for Eliza in front of his best friend Pickering. Consequently, Shaws use of language provides significant evidence about the control and power between both characters.