In the play Pygmalion, the flower girl, also known as Eliza Doolittle captures my attention as a complex character. When we first meet Eliza in Act One, she is portrayed as a lower class beggar. When she goes to Higgins for help, her constant whaling and cry of “ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-oo” in response to Pickering's and Higgins’ ridicule had me convinced that Eliza was an over dramatic fool. I asked myself, why is Eliza going to Higgins for help? Shaw portrayed Eliza in a negative way, which led me to think that this poor beggar girl was simply playing the victim and using Higgins for a free place to stay.
Later on in Act Two, we are introduced to Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle. After learning more about Alfred, I then acknowledged why Eliza acts the way she does. One might say that Alfred is known as a “dead beat dad” and others might argue that Eliza is old enough to care for her own. Eliza’s life at this point is going nowhere. She has no home, no parental figure, and has no money to support her; however, can one really blame Alfred? Was it Alfred that made Eliza the way she is? Or was it society that victimized both Alfred and Eliza? Alfred says, “As a daughter, she’s not worth her keep” (Shaw 974). One might argue that Alfred has no morals for not wanting Eliza back, but who can blame him? Alfred was just looking out for his daughter. He knows he cannot afford to care for Eliza, and leaving her with Higgins would ensure a better life for his daughter. Society is classified as upper class, middle class, and lower class, and when one is stuck in the lower class, it becomes survival of the fittest. Furthermore, before you judge both Eliza and Alfred, one should question whether Eliza and Alfred are just playing the victim, or are they the victim of society?
I also tend to agree with the accusations you have made about Eliza, Carissa. Her foolish acts have led me to believe that Eliza used Higgins. When you asked yourself, “Why is Eliza going to Higgins for help?” I also believe that her mission was to only acquire a home, rather than living on the streets as a poor beggar. Her ability to fool Higgins also proves how smart Eliza may actually be; however her inability to properly speak leads Higgins to believe otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAfter being introduced to Alfred Doolittle, I also had a better understanding of Eliza’s previous lifestyle. Her father’s inability to properly care for her demonstrates the person she became. When you asked “Was it Alfred that made Eliza the way she is?” I would say yes. Alfred's lower class lifestyle strongly influenced Eliza’s life. Despite the fact, Alfred does fully recognize he is unable to care for his daughter, and that she may be better off with Higgins. This has led me to believe that Alfred really does want the best for his daughter Eliza.