The Role of Social Classes in Pygmalion
In Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw, the importance of different social classes is used to great extent. In fact, the whole play is based on the difference between social classes: If they did not exist, Mr. Higgins’ and Colonel Pickering’s bet would never have taken place. The whole plot is based on Eliza Doolittle’s ascension from a “draggletailed guttersnipe” (Higgins) to a full-fledged duchess and princess.
Throughout the play, there is a clear distinction in the ways and manners between people from different social classes. The obvious example is in the beginning of act 1, when Eliza’s accent is transcribed: “Theres menners f’yer!” (The Flower Girl). Another poor accent is that of Eliza’s father: The H is omitted in his lines (”Iggins”). This is in contrast to the accents of the ladies and gentlemen, which are transcribed just like regular, written English.
I believe that it is important to note how the professor’s transformation of Eliza is reflected in the manuscript: The change in her accent — which is even pointed out as being too good for a native speaker — is much more emphasized than the change in her manners and her looks, for only the first day is it mentioned that she takes a bath, and only once are the jewels decorating her during the garden party at the Buckingham Palace mentioned.
Morals, however, are completely independent of social class. Shaw shows us both types of personalities in both classes: Eliza, the good girl despite her being very poor, and her father, who ruthlessly touches rich gentlemen in order to make them aid him economically. The Colonel is very generous and gentle, even if Mr. Higgins is not always so.
My conclusion is that the social classes in Pygmalion are deeply emphasized and of great importance to the play. However, there are human qualities that not even social class can change.1100 tracfones ringtone nokia6102 nokia ringtonenokia 6255i ringtonefree ringtone 3310 nokia codenokia ringtone 3588i free phoneringtone converter 445 downloadringtone for 4600 mobileringtone blackberry 8700 Mapaccredited collection agencydiploma online school accredited highschools accredited online in canadafinancial tools union america first creditrealestate corrispondance a courses creditedfinancial solution planners accreditedcanada in training accreditedexterior 2007 tax door credit for Map
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