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Pygmalion PPT Final

The document provides an overview of George Bernard Shaw's play 'Pygmalion,' including its mythological background, setting in early 20th-century London, and social class distinctions. It highlights the status of women during that era and the characteristics of key characters such as Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Additionally, it discusses the elements of Shavian drama, emphasizing social commentary and the rejection of melodrama.

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Anwar agha
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389 views15 pages

Pygmalion PPT Final

The document provides an overview of George Bernard Shaw's play 'Pygmalion,' including its mythological background, setting in early 20th-century London, and social class distinctions. It highlights the status of women during that era and the characteristics of key characters such as Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Additionally, it discusses the elements of Shavian drama, emphasizing social commentary and the rejection of melodrama.

Uploaded by

Anwar agha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PYGMALION

MYTHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND, PLAY’S SETTING,


SOCIAL CLASSES, STATUS OF WOMEN, SHAVIAN
DRAMA
PYGMALION
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
 Born in Dublin in 1856 and moved to London in 1876
 Produced a few novels with little success
 Finally received recognition with his play, Pygmalion
 Member of the Socialist party, very outspoken about politics
 Won Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925
 Champion of women’s rights
Mythological Background
Pygmalion – Legendary King
of Cyprus
Galatea – Statue

Pygmalion – Mr. Henry Higgins


Galatea – Eliza
PLAY’S SETTING
London, 1912

• Early 20th-century London.


• Gritty, everyday streets where Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower
girl, struggles for survival,
• Refined, upper-class environment inhabited by Professor Henry
Higgins.

70 % of England’s wealth was owned by 1% of the population.


SOCIAL CLASSES
Upper Class: Cultural elite, didn’t work, noble men and women.
Upper Middle Class: Worked but were employed in safe, clean
jobs (lawyers, doctors, professors).
Lower Middle Class: Worked in dangerous jobs and unsanitary
conditions.
Lower Class: Did not work or worked little, had no financial
freedom, were often servants.
STATUS OF WOMEN

 Limited Political Rights


 Social and Economic Constraints

 Cultural Attitude and Treatment

 Distorted Image of Identity and Self-worth


Pygmalion Romance in Five Acts
 Five-Act
 Romance
SHAVIAN DRAMA
 “Shavian” comes from “Shaw” (his last
name) and the Latin suffix “-ian.”
 Social and Political Commentary
 Witty Dialogue
 Complex Character
 Use of Irony and Satire
 Rejection of Melodrama
Character Role/Function Key Traits Social Class
Phonetics expert;
Professor Henry Brilliant, domineering,
transforms Eliza into Upper Middle
Higgins insensitive
a refined lady

Supportive mentor;
Empathetic,
Colonel Pickering offers kindness and Upper Middle
respectful, kind
balance

Flower girl
transformed into a Determined, resilient,
Eliza Doolittle Lower → Middle
cultured, independent authentic
woman

Eliza’s father;
Mr. Doolittle (Alfred Witty, pragmatic, self-
represents lower-class Lower
Doolittle) serving
morality

Higgins’ mother;
Observant, critical,
Mrs. Higgins provides social Upper Middle
traditional
perspective
BE YOUR OWN
PYGMALION!!!
Researchers
have shown that
university students'
grade point averages
go up when they are
taught that intelligence
can be developed.”

Carol Dweck
Ramzan
Reminder

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