Pygmalion is one of the most famous comedies of all times. Its mythological background is fascinating as the topic is still up to date. This is why it has influenced many artists to use the story for their works. Besides Ovid’s version in his Metamorphoses that very closely sticks to the original of Greek mythology and G. B. Shaw’s one that, although he changes the frame and the plot of Pygmalion, he still holds on to the idea of the original story, there is for example Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s melodrama Pygmalion (1770), Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s poem Pygmalion (1767) and Franz von Suppé’s operetta Die Schöne Galathee (1865).
The mythological background, though, is not the only reason why the story of Pygmalion has attracted that many artists and is that popular. It is the diversity of its themes and actions.
There is for example a love story, a criticism of society, many different characters that are interesting in each way, changes in individual personalities and so on.
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In a way he also forms a woman after his ideas and taste. This point of shaping a woman is present in both, Ovid’s Metamorphoses and G. B. Shaw’s Pygmalion.
However, the most important difference between them is the woman’s behaviour. While in mythology Galatea is only a passive character, in Shaw’s Pygmalion Eliza is active from the beginning on and influences the play’s stream and action. She takes her destiny into her own hands and one could speak of an emancipated woman. As emancipation was a major topic and drastically developed during the Victorian era, one could argue whether the description of women in literature actually reflects society’s attitude towards them in the era in which this literature was written.
For this reason I will elaborate the role of women in Victorian society in general and in Pygmalion in specific. Furthermore I would like to compare the play Pygmalion, which was staged for the first time in 1913, to the musical My fair lady which was released in 1956. The difference in time promises a difference in the reception of the story and it is probable that the changes in society between 1913 and 1956 are reflected in those two versions.Especially the role of women changed in those years.
Therefore the focus of my thesis will be these transforming ideas concerning women in the Victorian age and the 1950’s by means of Pygmalion and My fair lady.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Victorian Society
- 2.1. Industrialisation
- 2.2. Women and Feminism in England in the 18th and 19th Century
- 3. George Bernard Shaw
- 3.1. Parallels between his Biography and Pygmalion in Respect to Women
- 3.2. Shaw's Philosophy Concerning Gender Roles and its Impact on Pygmalion
- 4. Feminist Realisation in Pygmalion
- 4.1. Eliza's Inner Change
- 4.2. The Relation between Higgins and Eliza
- 4.3. Mrs. Higgins and Mrs. Pearce
- 4.4. Higgins' Development
- 4.5. The Theme of Prostitution and Slavery
- 4.6. The Importance of Clara Eynsford-Hill
- 5. My Fair Lady
- 5.1. The Development from the Play to the Musical-Film
- 5.2. The Role of Women in the 1950's and 1960's
- 5.3. The Audience of My Fair Lady
- 5.4. Differences between the Musical and Pygmalion
- 5.4.1. Intention
- 5.4.2. Genre Changes
- 5.4.3. The Theme of Love and Cinderella
- 5.4.4. Eliza's Development in My Fair Lady
- 5.4.5. Higgins' Character in My Fair Lady
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis aims to examine the evolving portrayal of women in Victorian society and the 1950s, analyzing how these societal changes are reflected in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and the musical adaptation, My Fair Lady. The comparison of these two works across different time periods highlights the shifting perceptions of gender roles and women's emancipation.
- The role of women in Victorian society and its representation in Pygmalion.
- George Bernard Shaw's philosophy on gender roles and its influence on Pygmalion.
- Feminist interpretations of Pygmalion and the character development of Eliza Doolittle.
- The transformation of Pygmalion into My Fair Lady and the changes in the portrayal of women.
- A comparison of the societal context and reception of both Pygmalion and My Fair Lady.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the Pygmalion myth and its enduring appeal across various artistic interpretations, from Ovid's Metamorphoses to Shaw's play and the musical My Fair Lady. It highlights the play's diverse themes, including love, social criticism, and character transformation, and emphasizes its broad appeal across Victorian society. The chapter establishes the core argument: the evolution of the female character from a passive figure in the myth to a more active and emancipated woman in Shaw's work, reflecting the changing societal attitudes toward women.
2. Victorian Society: This section provides crucial background information on Victorian England, focusing on the impact of industrialization and urbanization on society and the stark class divisions of the era. It examines the complex relationship between Queen Victoria's reign and the burgeoning feminist movement, highlighting the contradictory forces of tradition and progress. The chapter emphasizes the limitations and expectations placed upon women, establishing the societal context for understanding the representation of women in Pygmalion.
3. George Bernard Shaw: This chapter delves into the life and philosophy of George Bernard Shaw, exploring potential parallels between his personal experiences and the themes presented in Pygmalion. It analyzes Shaw's views on gender roles and how these views shaped his writing, specifically his depiction of women and their social standing. The chapter aims to establish a connection between Shaw's personal beliefs and his portrayal of female characters in the play.
4. Feminist Realisation in Pygmalion: This chapter analyzes Pygmalion through a feminist lens, examining the individual character arcs and their significance. It explores Eliza's transformation, her relationship with Higgins, and the roles of supporting female characters like Mrs. Higgins and Mrs. Pearce. Themes of prostitution and social class are examined, providing a detailed look at how the play engages with contemporary feminist ideas and the complexities of female agency in Victorian society. The significance of Clara Eynsford-Hill's character as a contrasting figure is also analyzed.
5. My Fair Lady: This chapter examines the adaptation of Pygmalion into the musical My Fair Lady, exploring the changes made during this transformation and the implications of those changes for the portrayal of women. The chapter considers the societal context of the 1950s and its influence on the musical's reception, contrasting it with the Victorian era setting of Pygmalion. The differing intentions, genre conventions, and thematic emphases between the play and the musical are explored, examining how Eliza and Higgins' characters evolve in the new adaptation.
Keywords
Victorian society, gender roles, feminism, Pygmalion, My Fair Lady, George Bernard Shaw, Eliza Doolittle, Henry Higgins, social class, transformation, adaptation, female agency, emancipation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a language analysis focusing on the portrayal of women in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and its musical adaptation, My Fair Lady. It examines how these portrayals reflect societal changes in Victorian England and the mid-20th century.
What topics are covered in the document?
The document covers a range of topics, including Victorian society and its impact on women, George Bernard Shaw's life and philosophy, feminist interpretations of Pygmalion, a detailed analysis of character development in both Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, a comparison of the two works, and the societal context of their respective productions.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured into several sections: a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. Each chapter summary provides an overview of its content, allowing readers to quickly understand the scope of the analysis.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the role of women in Victorian society and the mid-20th century, gender roles, feminism, social class, character transformation, adaptation (of Pygmalion into My Fair Lady), female agency, and emancipation.
How does the analysis compare Pygmalion and My Fair Lady?
The analysis compares the two works by examining how the portrayal of women changes across different time periods and contexts. It explores the differences in intention, genre, and thematic emphasis between the play and the musical, noting specific changes in the characters of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins.
What is the significance of Victorian society in this analysis?
The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding Victorian society to fully grasp the context of Pygmalion. It explores the social constraints and expectations placed on women during this period, which heavily influence Eliza Doolittle's character and experiences.
What is the role of George Bernard Shaw's philosophy in the analysis?
The analysis examines Shaw's personal views on gender roles and how these views shaped his creation of Pygmalion. It explores potential parallels between his life and the themes presented in the play.
How does the analysis incorporate feminist perspectives?
The analysis uses a feminist lens to interpret Pygmalion, examining the character development of Eliza Doolittle and other female characters, and analyzing the play's engagement with themes of female agency and emancipation.
What are the key differences between Eliza Doolittle's portrayal in Pygmalion and My Fair Lady?
The analysis highlights the differences in Eliza's development and agency in both Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, considering the influence of the changing societal norms and the different artistic mediums.
What specific characters are analyzed in detail?
The analysis focuses on the character development of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins, along with supporting female characters such as Mrs. Higgins and Mrs. Pearce. The role of Clara Eynsford-Hill is also examined.
- Citar trabajo
- Catharina Kern (Autor), 2007, Changing Gender Roles and the Pygmalion Motif – Shaw’s "Pygmalion" and the Musical "My Fair Lady" in their contexts, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/140546
