Pygmalion

Well, personally I like this storyline very much. I have already watched this play twice, which are all performed by students. It tells about the story of how a girl from a poor family tries very hard to climb up the social ladder to achieve for herself greater social mobility. This play brings out the ideas that it is possible for you to become a better person as long as you are willing to take the first step. This notion is proven on the changes that happened on Eliza Doolittle.

Before Eliza first encountered Mr. Higgins, she was simply a dirty, yet caring girl in the gutter of London. During her time with both Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering, Eliza did change. For the first few weeks on her stay in Wimplole Street, she questioned everything that Higgins asked her to do, and generally could not see how they would help her. Until today, I still remember vividly how Eliza resisted strongly from having a bath in Mr. Higgins' house.

Later, Eliza begins to understand that Mr. Higgins, as harsh as he is, is trying to do his best to teach her, and therefore, should be respected. Eliza did eventually become a loving and elegant "Duchess". People all love to be with her. However, after the ambassador's ball, we see more of the old Eliza resurfacing. She starts to worry again, and since she has grown attached to Mr. Higgins and Colonel Pickering, so she is devastated to see their finding her so trivial. In fact, she is just a game and an experiment of Mr. Higgins! Her pride is being injured!

Basically, Eliza's basic character remains relatively unchanged through out the play. We can still observe the old Eliza, under the upper-class persona. The play,"Pygmalion" brings out the message that looks can be extremely deceiving, and therefore, we should never judges a book by its cover.

In short, "Pygmalion" touches on the issue that self-presentation really does change the way people look at you or treat you. Some people are just too superficial nowadays!

By: Chuah Kar Wooi
(134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21