Besides education, a major topic within Pygmalion is the idea of creation. Professor Higgins is trying to recreate a flower girl from the gutters into a high class society member. He wants to create Liza into a completely different being than who she was before. The professor, with the help of Colonel Pickering, assumes the position of ultimate creator by undertaking this task. But at what cost is Higgins "playing God"? Higgins is trying to change something, rather someone, from what she naturally is. This action does not come without a price. In order for art to take form and creation to take place, there must be some form of sacrifice. In the "Tales from Ovid", Pygmalion's statue, Galatea, is brought to life by the goddess Venus. In order for Venus to do this, Pygmalion has to present a sacrifice to her. Pygmalion himself gave up a great portion of his time and effort in order to bring the woman of his dreams into reality. When looking at Shaw's "Pygmalion", one should consider what sacrifices are being made in order for Eliza to become a "duchess". Higgins and Pickering are both spending a substantial amount of time and money to change their experimental doll into a lady. But what else, if anything, are they giving up in this game of creation? Also, what is Eliza risking in hopes of recreating herself? Eliza does succeed in becoming a high class woman in the eyes of society, but in order to do so, she has to give up her dignity and independence. In Act V, Eliza questions Higgins "Why did you take my independence from me? Why did I give it up?" (Shaw 1010). Liza gives up the person that she is, but for what? She is treated like a peasant girl by Higgins, and only in the end Higgins acknowledges her as a woman. Pickering does have good intentions and tries to treat Eliza like a lady, but he too disregards her as a human at one point and sees her more as an object that can be tossed away. Considering all of this- Does Eliza risk her value as a human being in order to change?
Very well said Faith. When you ask, "Does Eliza risk her value as a human being in order to change?" I think that's an excellent question. I think there is a big question about whether Eliza has worth and whether she thinks she deserves worth. Eliza certainly does not feel loved at the end of the story and I wonder if this brings up questions of who Eliza is and who Eliza will become.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say, "Liza gives up the person that she is, but for what?" I think that's exactly the problem. Eliza had this dream of becoming a person who would have her own shop, but that is not the person she is turned into. She is never taught anything about business and her dependency on men further shows problems.
This will be good discussion as we explore your questions throughout the remainder of the week.
You brought up many interesting questions, Faith. When Eliza says, "Why did you take my independence from me? Why did I give it up?" I think that losing her independence was partially Eliza's fault. Eliza came to Higgins for help, and yes, she did not realize what she was getting into; however, she did choose to stay with Higgins and Pickering throughout the whole six months. I honestly do not think Eliza should have reacted the way she did to Mrs. Higgins. I know she was hurt by Higgins' and Pickering’s words, but I do not think she should of complained about her independence, when at any moment she could of left Higgins and gained her independence back during the six months.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your last question, “Does Eliza risk her value as a human being in order to change?” I think that answer is yes. I agree with you that Eliza does give up her independence and dignity. When she is taken under the wing of both Higgins and Pickering, she loses her value as a human being and becomes a puppet. It was Eliza’s choice to recreate herself, yet changing into a new person was probably not worth losing her independence.