women is belonging of her husband or family. Woman’s goal was to marry well – achieved through her beauty and purity. Men were expected to be strong and hard working. Acts 3-5 Acceptable behaviour, restrictions, expectations and differences between men and women Eliza changes from a submissive role to expressing her indignation in Act 5 – autonomy. Close in you cat, Eliza’s perceived savagery. Social Status Acts 1-2 “She is not at all a romantic figure”- undesirable, distinctions between classes, unwanted. Easily distinguished based on appearance. Boots symbol for class, materialism of people. “what is middle class morality?” class affects beliefs, social status defined morality. Acts 3-5 Appearance vs reality, Eynsford try to disguise their identity. Paradox of class, although Eliza is portrayed as rich, she isn’t able to sustain herself, without having the help of other. Superficial nature of social classes. Middle class morality, Alfred Doolittle is unhappy despite new found wealth. Eliza becomes independent. She accepted as another persona not herself. Etiquette and Manners Acts 1-2 Distinguish between the social classes. Eliza defends herself and has high sensitivity which shows her lower class due to bad manners and etiquette. Higgins is hypocritical, later reflection on his own behaviour. Social barriers can be overcome with education. Acts 3-5 Higgins disregard for manners and etiquette between other people. Etiquette restricts individual opinion and thought. Only valued in social context. Irony in behaviours of different classes to show superficiality of manner and etiquette. Marriage/Relationships Acts 1-2 Maintain and improve social standing, increase fortune. Differing gender roles within marriage. Middle and working class – personal choice, love. The irony is that even though upper class have more wealth, they have less autonomy. Struggles between emotional fulfilment and financial stability. Acts 3-5 Marriage for stability, father and mother did not support each other emotionally. Higgins is very casual about marriage. Giving up freedom from both sides. When marries, sacrificing autonomy, but Eliza retains her freedom and values it. Repetition of sell. Sheets and sheets, Shaw’s portrayal of a successful marriage, mutual understanding and independence, affection. Education/Language/Phonetics Acts 1-2 - Acts 3-5 Shaw critical of social conventions of the time. Upper class civilised and knowledgeable. Education as a solution to these problems. What she pronounces: even Higgins recognises. “We’re all savages…”. Education as an answer to inability to fulfil social expectations. Critiques people’s attitudes towards leaning. “Do you know what began my real education…” Independence and Autonomy Acts 1-2 Self-awareness of social class and status. Attempts to maintain her independence and social values. Lack of regard to autonomy of lower class. The effect of classes on autonomy and independence. “Happy is the man…” Acts 3-5 Eliza gain of independence while Doolittle loses his independence. Eliza goes above Higgins, show her autonomy. Higgins and Eliza parallel desires for autonomy. Pickering counter balance and provides Eliza wit autonomy.
Transformation of Eliza, Higgins, Alfred Doolittle
Higgins doesn’t change
Eliza is able to gain autonomy and think critically
Alfred Doolittle undergoes a negative transformation he is not satisfied with his new found wealth
Didactic text, we are able to learn something from Shaw’s Pygmalion.