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Pygmalion and My Fair Lady
The ancient Greeks tell the legend of the sculptor Pygmalion, who created a statue of a woman of such surpassing beauty that he fell in love with his own creation. Then Aphrodite, taking pity on this man whose love could not reach beyond the barrier of stone, brought the statue to life and gave her to Pygmalion as his bride.
Centuries later George Bernard Shaw captured the magic of this legend in his celebrated romantic play, Pygmalion. Pygmalion became Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, his statue an untutored flower girl from the streets of London, and the barrier between them the difference in their stations in life.
In My Fair Lady, the legend is taken one step further: the barrier is swept away and Higgins and Eliza are reunited as the curtain falls on one of the loveliest musical plays of our time.
--back cover
Centuries later George Bernard Shaw captured the magic of this legend in his celebrated romantic play, Pygmalion. Pygmalion became Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, his statue an untutored flower girl from the streets of London, and the barrier between them the difference in their stations in life.
In My Fair Lady, the legend is taken one step further: the barrier is swept away and Higgins and Eliza are reunited as the curtain falls on one of the loveliest musical plays of our time.
--back cover
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
29 people are currently reading
3416 people want to read
About the author
George Bernard Shaw
1,979 books4,120 followersGeorge Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, socialist, and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama. Over the course of his life he wrote more than 60 plays. Nearly all his plays address prevailing social problems, but each also includes a vein of comedy that makes their stark themes more palatable. In these works Shaw examined education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege.
An ardent socialist, Shaw was angered by what he perceived to be the exploitation of the working class. He wrote many brochures and speeches for the Fabian Society. He became an accomplished orator in the furtherance of its causes, which included gaining equal rights for men and women, alleviating abuses of the working class, rescinding private ownership of productive land, and promoting healthy lifestyles. For a short time he was active in local politics, serving on the London County Council.
In 1898, Shaw married Charlotte Payne-Townshend, a fellow Fabian, whom he survived. They settled in Ayot St. Lawrence in a house now called Shaw's Corner.
He is the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize for Literature (1925) and an Oscar (1938). The former for his contributions to literature and the latter for his work on the film "Pygmalion" (adaptation of his play of the same name). Shaw wanted to refuse his Nobel Prize outright, as he had no desire for public honours, but he accepted it at his wife's behest. She considered it a tribute to Ireland. He did reject the monetary award, requesting it be used to finance translation of Swedish books to English.
Shaw died at Shaw's Corner, aged 94, from chronic health problems exacerbated by injuries incurred by falling.
An ardent socialist, Shaw was angered by what he perceived to be the exploitation of the working class. He wrote many brochures and speeches for the Fabian Society. He became an accomplished orator in the furtherance of its causes, which included gaining equal rights for men and women, alleviating abuses of the working class, rescinding private ownership of productive land, and promoting healthy lifestyles. For a short time he was active in local politics, serving on the London County Council.
In 1898, Shaw married Charlotte Payne-Townshend, a fellow Fabian, whom he survived. They settled in Ayot St. Lawrence in a house now called Shaw's Corner.
He is the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize for Literature (1925) and an Oscar (1938). The former for his contributions to literature and the latter for his work on the film "Pygmalion" (adaptation of his play of the same name). Shaw wanted to refuse his Nobel Prize outright, as he had no desire for public honours, but he accepted it at his wife's behest. She considered it a tribute to Ireland. He did reject the monetary award, requesting it be used to finance translation of Swedish books to English.
Shaw died at Shaw's Corner, aged 94, from chronic health problems exacerbated by injuries incurred by falling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
August 4, 2020
This was my first Bernard Shaw (I know, I know...!) and I love the subject matter: class privilege and linguistics - a perfect combination. Add to that a layer of Greek mythology, sprinkled with humour, and you get Pygmalion by George B. Shaw and, after further adaptation, My Fair Lady by Lerner and Loewe (1956).
I found Shaw’s interpretation of the mythology very revealing of how ahead of his times he was, from class privilege, to women’s rights. Higgins (“the sculptor”) is particularly well characterised. George B. Shaw clearly intends to use Higgins’ layers and contradictions humorously, to get his messages across. One of these opinions is particularly countercurrent: if a woman can’t sell anything, is she not left with only herself to sell?
“My Fair Lady” is the musical adaptation of Shaw’s piece, with a few subtle changes, as well as a more classic interpretation of the mythological Pygmalion. I must say I prefer Shaw’s ending, but can’t say any more without spoiling.
I’ve never found plays easy to read, and I buddy read this book with Fergus, which was great fun - thank you Fergus for sharing!
I really enjoyed this short, efficient and well-paced play, which made me laugh on serious matters. Reading the original followed by the musical back to back made for a compelling comparison of styles, and of differing scenario choices.
I found Shaw’s interpretation of the mythology very revealing of how ahead of his times he was, from class privilege, to women’s rights. Higgins (“the sculptor”) is particularly well characterised. George B. Shaw clearly intends to use Higgins’ layers and contradictions humorously, to get his messages across. One of these opinions is particularly countercurrent: if a woman can’t sell anything, is she not left with only herself to sell?
“My Fair Lady” is the musical adaptation of Shaw’s piece, with a few subtle changes, as well as a more classic interpretation of the mythological Pygmalion. I must say I prefer Shaw’s ending, but can’t say any more without spoiling.
I’ve never found plays easy to read, and I buddy read this book with Fergus, which was great fun - thank you Fergus for sharing!
I really enjoyed this short, efficient and well-paced play, which made me laugh on serious matters. Reading the original followed by the musical back to back made for a compelling comparison of styles, and of differing scenario choices.
October 2, 2010
I absolutely love My Fair Lady! I only just realized, after completing the book and reading the back, that Pygmalion is a Greek Myth--the one where Pygmalion falls in love with his sculpture and Aphrodite pities him and makes the statue real. This play is based off of that, where Higgins sculpts Eliza into a creature with beautiful speech, and falls in love with his creation. It's interesting to see the contrasts between the play and the adaption, but I like both endings (they're different). There is a strong emphasis on phonetics and speech. I learned something very important from Eliza, that "the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she's treated."
August 25, 2025
Pygmalion, written by George Bernard Shaw, based on his play, inspired by the ancient Greek myth
9.4 out of 10
Pygmalion is based on the ancient Greek myth, about the sculptor named Pygmalion who creates a statue that is so beautiful that he falls in love with it and then asks the gods to give it life and they do, therefore Galatea becomes a human being.
In psychology, The Pygmalion Effect has been studied in schools, where it was discovered that teachers who believed in the capacities, skills, potential of their students had better results, in that those pupils who benefited from this trust went on to obtain excellent results.
It works in other areas too, when students believe in their professors, these became better, and this can be applied by management, for when business leaders have confidence in those who are under their command, the benefits are visible and quantifiable, as well as the reverse.
The opening scenes take place when rain is forcing people to take refuge, an occasion for the flower girl Eliza Doolittle aka the Oscar nominated Wendy Hiller to try to sell some to the upper class people that are waiting for a taxi, which Freddy Eynsford Hill had gone to fetch, while his mother and sister are waiting.
Professor Henry Higgins, portrayed by Academy Award Nominee Leslie Howard – known for his role in Gone with the Wind - http://realini.blogspot.com/2018/05/g... - is a phonetics expert who is trying to listen to conversations and find interesting accents and speech patterns.
He is able to place anyone he listens to within a very short distance in the country and in London, that precision is increased to an astonishing level, for he seems to be the ultimate, quintessential authority on speech, interested to look for and find Colonel George Pickering, another specialist, who happens to be in the same spot.
The colonel has travelled all the way from India to meet the professor, who in turn had been planning to sail to India to find the colonel and now they are about to embark on an interesting ‘experiment’, with the colonel showing a humane, kind, sensitive, polite, decent personality, while Higgins is so abject at times that he would be rejected at the present, a film like this would not be made.
While Colonel Pickering is staying with the professor, invited to avoid the hotel and be his guest, a visitor arrives and it turns out to be Eliza Doolittle, who is interested to get some lessons, for she had heard the other night that this is a language expert and she thinks that she would be able to get a flower shop if she furthers her education and she is willing to pay.
The money she has working on the street are a pittance for the much better off phonetics expert, but he is wise to calculate what the offer means, related to her standard of living and this is a fortune she offers, as an important amount of her total, rather small income, which she is ready to offer to get further and have a career, although she would soon be made to suffer, forced to take her clothes (in the privacy of the bathroom, not in public) off and have the bath which she resents most in the world…or so it looks like.
What is annoying and unacceptable for the modern viewer – who has nevertheless to look at things in perspective, considering the ancient myth and the époque when George Bernard Shaw has written the script for the film – is the sexist, misogynistic, abusive attitude of the professor, who keeps insulting the poor girl, insisting that he ‘treats a duchess as a poor woman and vice versa’.
The colonel and the professor make a bet, with the latter claiming that he would be able to pass the uneducated flower girl, with her awful accent, abominable grammar and lack of any knowledge of etiquette, rules of engagement, manners in society for a duchess, once he is finished with phonetics, posture, correct English, which should take him a few months and then they would attend an important gathering and see the extraordinary results.
First of all, this is a comedy and the confrontation between Pygmalion and Galatea is supposed to be – and it often is – amusing, although in this modern age it could well be embarrassing and deemed unacceptable, and we need to highlight the fact that Eliza could be seen as the Ultimate Winner, not just in terms of education gained, knowledge of proper English and good behavior, but she may be the one who teaches a more important lesson.
Notwithstanding his expertise on language, Professor Higgins is worse than ignorant in what love means, and ultimately, life itself, for he limits himself to super pronunciation and locating cockney accents, but he treats women – granted other humans too – with contempt, he suggests after they win their competition that Eliza marries the colonel, or somebody else and he is rather despicable, especially for one who is supposed to be the Hero.
Finally, the undersigned must say that George Bernard Shaw was such a peculiar man that the perception of his works is affected by his politics – supportive of the communists and the Soviets, which is anathema for someone who has had to live in a regime installed by these vicious people – and his rather outré persona, often amusing, but rather arrogant and pretentious – even when the Oscar was awarded for the script of this film, the writer said something to the effect that this like giving a prize to George for being the King of Britain.
Pygmalion has been included on The New York Times’ Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made list, available here:
https://www.listchallenges.com/new-yo...
April 30, 2008
SOOOOOOOOO much better than the movie My Fair Lady even though Audrey Hepburn is always stunning and it was directed by Uncle George, and the songs really are fantastic.
I LOVE that she ends up with (spoiler alert)) Freddy instead of that misogynistic knucklehead (i'm being kind and gentle with my words) Rex Harrison, I mean Henry Higgins. and she gets to run a flower-shop - VERY COOL!
I LOVE that she ends up with (spoiler alert)) Freddy instead of that misogynistic knucklehead (i'm being kind and gentle with my words) Rex Harrison, I mean Henry Higgins. and she gets to run a flower-shop - VERY COOL!
October 23, 2018
در واقع دو و نیم!
از اون معدود کتابایی که به خاطر موضوع خاصش(گویش های زبان انگلیسی) فیلمش گویا تر از کتاب باید باشه.
شاید هم ترجمه ضعیف بود!
از اون معدود کتابایی که به خاطر موضوع خاصش(گویش های زبان انگلیسی) فیلمش گویا تر از کتاب باید باشه.
شاید هم ترجمه ضعیف بود!
May 26, 2024
"…if you're going to be a lady, you'll have to give up feeling neglected if the men you know don't spend half their time sniveling over you and the other half giving you black eyes."
Easily my favorite book that I have read in a long while. Shaw's style/voice is so biting and funny, I frequently find myself giggling at his wit and sheer pettiness. His commentary on socio-economic mobility in conjunction with a woman's acquisition of her agency creates an empowering story that could have easily been misunderstood given the makeover arc. Shaw's argument that education is empowering to the oppressed is particularly poignant given the current political landscape of public education. Eliza Doolittle is undoubtedly transformed by the men around her, but ultimately, she claims her power on her own accord.
Outside of education, Eliza's sense of respect finally being removed from her treatment from men is SO poignant and personal for me.
To conclude, I genuinely found this play incredibly empowering on a personal level, thought-provoking, incredibly funny, and simply enjoyable.
I may update this review after watching the musical adaptation/reading the sequel.
March 21, 2013
I absolutely love my fair lady. It is a wonderful story that depicts social class and their values. Henry higgins is a brilliant character, i love how he is depicted but always hated the way that he treated eliza dolittle.
i thought the story was at some points witty, i especially love the times eliza makes a mockery of henry higgins!
on a musical note, i grew up watching my fair lady with my wonderful grandma who gave me my love of musicals! The lyrics were fitting and catchy... I used to sing along lol.
i remember a few years ago watching confessions of a teenage drama queen, which is also based on the book by dyan sheldon! Fantastic book! Anyway, the character lola is audition ing for the main part in a school play and she makes a reference to pygmalion written by george bernard shaw and i thought it was lovely that classics from the past are still recognised in modern fiction and film.
love it!
i thought the story was at some points witty, i especially love the times eliza makes a mockery of henry higgins!
on a musical note, i grew up watching my fair lady with my wonderful grandma who gave me my love of musicals! The lyrics were fitting and catchy... I used to sing along lol.
i remember a few years ago watching confessions of a teenage drama queen, which is also based on the book by dyan sheldon! Fantastic book! Anyway, the character lola is audition ing for the main part in a school play and she makes a reference to pygmalion written by george bernard shaw and i thought it was lovely that classics from the past are still recognised in modern fiction and film.
love it!
February 19, 2024
Pygmalion can be frowned upon in this day and age for H.H.'s boorish treatment of Eliza, but luckily in the play's epilogue (in contrast to the film version My Fair Lady) a more feminist road is taken
March 20, 2023
3.5⭐ to be exact!
This is my first time reading this though its movie was one of my parents' favourites. I wonder how they adapt this short story into an almost 3 hours movie. I might give the movie a try one day.
This is my first time reading this though its movie was one of my parents' favourites. I wonder how they adapt this short story into an almost 3 hours movie. I might give the movie a try one day.
June 10, 2022
‘I sold flowers. I didn’t sell myself. Now you’ve made me a lady of me I’m not fit to sell anything else.’
December 19, 2019
با «دون ژوان در جهنم» انتظار بالایی از این اثر داشتم. که خب اصلا توی اون معیار و سطح نبود.
November 8, 2014
Pygmalion - A Play by George Bernard Shaw
Not many people in their teen years have heard of the play Pygmalion. I mean most of us don’t even read plays! I read this for a school assignment but for me it became so much more. As an avid fan of the movie My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, I was extremely excited to hear that this play is what the movie was based off.
Set in the early 1900's under Edwardian rule, this play is about a teacher of phonetics, the science of speech, and Eliza Doolittle a poor flower girl trying to get by on the little amount of money she makes. Higgins meets Eliza in not the best of situations with her convinced he's a cop and thinks she was ‘coming onto’ an older gentlemen. She is absolutely horrified to say the least. You can imagine the noises she makes with her horrid cockney accent when she’s in a rush! As the play progresses Higgins decides to take Eliza on as a bet of a sort with a friend of his, Colonel Pickering a fellow linguist (scientist of speech if you will) that he could transform Eliza and even pass her off as the queen of Sheba within 13 months. A the bet progresses and Eliza is taught how to speak and act like a proper elegant and well-dressed lady, more problems, feeling, and characters come to light. The real question is will Eliza ever be able to pull it off and what will happen to her now if she doesn’t?
As a play it is very different from a book in how you read it and how to understand what exactly is happening so I’ll give you some tips. All stage directions will be in italics and [brackets], it gives actors directions for movement and expression. At the beginning of each act, think of them as chapters if you will, there will always be a very detailed setting so that you know exactly of your surroundings because that is how it was meant to be done on stage. When one character is speaking to the other it may come up with them speaking their name and then saying something aimed to them and them alone. One thing that I found to be a great help was if you completely had no clue what a word meant just have a dictionary on your lap or on a laptop. By the end of the book your vocabulary will clearly be so resplendently refined that you will be able to baffle all whom you meet just like Eliza does.
If you happen to enjoy the movie that was based of this play then I recommend you read this too as it opens your eyes so much to all of these other ideas and things that were meant to happen and coincide with each other, I for one find it absolutely fascinating.
I see now that I have rambled on quite a bit about this play probably because for me I’ve always wondered if more happened beyond the movie because as they say all of the best movies are based off books.
As far as I know this doesn’t have any prizes behind it like many others of the time but it does have a string of performances and a movie featuring some of the most brilliant actors and singers alike starring in it. Also I can add that My Fair Lady won many awards in 1965 - including Best Picture Oscar, Best Actor in a Leading Role Rex Harrison , Best Director George Cukor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Music.
L.E Simpkin
Not many people in their teen years have heard of the play Pygmalion. I mean most of us don’t even read plays! I read this for a school assignment but for me it became so much more. As an avid fan of the movie My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, I was extremely excited to hear that this play is what the movie was based off.
Set in the early 1900's under Edwardian rule, this play is about a teacher of phonetics, the science of speech, and Eliza Doolittle a poor flower girl trying to get by on the little amount of money she makes. Higgins meets Eliza in not the best of situations with her convinced he's a cop and thinks she was ‘coming onto’ an older gentlemen. She is absolutely horrified to say the least. You can imagine the noises she makes with her horrid cockney accent when she’s in a rush! As the play progresses Higgins decides to take Eliza on as a bet of a sort with a friend of his, Colonel Pickering a fellow linguist (scientist of speech if you will) that he could transform Eliza and even pass her off as the queen of Sheba within 13 months. A the bet progresses and Eliza is taught how to speak and act like a proper elegant and well-dressed lady, more problems, feeling, and characters come to light. The real question is will Eliza ever be able to pull it off and what will happen to her now if she doesn’t?
As a play it is very different from a book in how you read it and how to understand what exactly is happening so I’ll give you some tips. All stage directions will be in italics and [brackets], it gives actors directions for movement and expression. At the beginning of each act, think of them as chapters if you will, there will always be a very detailed setting so that you know exactly of your surroundings because that is how it was meant to be done on stage. When one character is speaking to the other it may come up with them speaking their name and then saying something aimed to them and them alone. One thing that I found to be a great help was if you completely had no clue what a word meant just have a dictionary on your lap or on a laptop. By the end of the book your vocabulary will clearly be so resplendently refined that you will be able to baffle all whom you meet just like Eliza does.
If you happen to enjoy the movie that was based of this play then I recommend you read this too as it opens your eyes so much to all of these other ideas and things that were meant to happen and coincide with each other, I for one find it absolutely fascinating.
I see now that I have rambled on quite a bit about this play probably because for me I’ve always wondered if more happened beyond the movie because as they say all of the best movies are based off books.
As far as I know this doesn’t have any prizes behind it like many others of the time but it does have a string of performances and a movie featuring some of the most brilliant actors and singers alike starring in it. Also I can add that My Fair Lady won many awards in 1965 - including Best Picture Oscar, Best Actor in a Leading Role Rex Harrison , Best Director George Cukor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Music.
L.E Simpkin
July 23, 2020
J.avoue que l.ecriture est bien mais l.histoire est a gerber. Paternalisme, sexisme, classcisme, dressage et soumission sans reeal consentement car sans reel choix, fascination amoureuse a vomir. Cest pas un classique, cest du contenu de merde. Dire que toute une generation de bourgoise a fantasme sur cette histoire. Les pauvres, voila pourquoi ma mère se retrouve avec un connard qui se comporte plus comme son pape et maitre que son egal
May 21, 2011
I liked this more than I expected. It was a sweet and realistic romance to me, so I wasn't at all disappointed with the ending. In fact, I loved the ending. Maybe it was because Shaw didn't really push the Eliza/Higgins pairing. I couldn't exactly tell if either of them had romantic feelings for the other. It was comical and enjoyable, always a good combination for a book/play. I plan to read My Fair Lady soon afterwards, but right now, other things are occupying my time. :(
November 5, 2011
I have seen the movie version of My Fair Lady, so Audrey Hepburn's accent was in my head through the entire first act. I gained a lot more appreciation for the story from reading Pygmalion. I discovered that Shaw makes witty, philosophical remarks on society, reminding me of Oscar Wilde, whom I adore. The stage directions add depth to the character's unseen emotions and watching Eliza's development was truly enjoyable. I need to go read more Shaw.
October 31, 2015
I LOVEDDD THIS PLAY! It was so funny & witty, & the undertones were on point. Just amazing! Best play i've read so far.
July 28, 2021
Το βιβλίο αποτελεί την πρώτη μου γνωριμία με τον Bernard Shaw και τον θεατρικό κόσμο της Αγγλίας γενικότερα, οπότε το διάβασα καθαρά σαν ένα το πρώτο καλοκαιρίνο βιβλίο που διάβασα μετά την εξεταστική μου, και όχι σαν κάποια συνειδητή προσπάθεια να εντρυφήσω στην κουλτούρα της Μεγάλης Βρετανίας του 19ου αιώνα.
Ετσί όπως το βλέπω εγώ, το βιβλίο αφηγείται δύο ιστορίες ταυτόχρονα. Η προφανής είναι αυτή της Ελίζας, η οποία ζει στις φτωχογειτονιές του Λονδίνου πουλώντας λουλούδια στον δρόμο, μέχρι την στιγμή που ο παγκοσμίου φήμης γλωσσολόγος Χένρυ Χίγγινς της κάνει δωρεάν μαθήματα προφοράς ώστε να μην προδίδεται η καταγωγή της. Η συγκεκριμένη πλοκή δεν μένει μόνο εκεί, για την ακρίβεια αποτέλουν με το ζόρι μία σύνοψη της πρώτης πράξης. Γενικότερα αυτά τα μαθήματα θα είναι ο καταλύτης για να έρθουν τα πάνω κάτω στην ζωή της Ελίζας, και εμείς είμαστε σε μία γωνάι και παρακολουθούμε καθόλη την διάρκεια.
Η δεύτερη "πλοκή" του βιβλίου αφορά περισσότερο το κοινωνικό και οικονομικό χάσμα των τάξεων στην Αγγλία του Shaw, που καταφέρνει να τονίσει σε κάθε σελίδα χωρίς όμως να γίνεται ποτέ πληκτικός. Ο καθηγητής θέλει να κάνει την Ελίζα να ανήκει στην υψηλή κοινωνία, και ξέρει ότι το μόνο που χρειάζεται είναι να τις μάθει πλασματικούς κανόνες συμπεριφοράς και γλωσσολογίας. Η υψηλή κοινωνία του Λονδίνου δεν παρουσιάζεται σαν κάτι το αξιοθαύμαστο γιατί δεν είναι κάτι το αξιοθαύμαστο, ενώ οι περισσότεροι θα συμφωνούσαν ότι ο εξυπνότερος χαρακτήρας του βιβλίου είναι ο σκουπιδιάρης πατέρας της Ελίζας. Και παρά τα τόσα παραδείγματα "ταξικής συνείδησης" σε σχεδόν κάθε πτυχή του βιβλίου, η ιστορία δεν προπαγανδίζει γιατί χρησμοποιεί σκηνικά και χαρακτηρές που είναι και απαραίτητα για την πλοκή, και πιστά στην εποχή τους.
Η ίδια η περιγραφή του goodreads το θέτει καλύτερα από ότι θα μπορούσα εγώ. Ο Πυγμαλίωνας της αρχαίας μυθολογίας ερωτεύθηκε το γλυπτό που ο ίδιος έφτιαξε, και αναγκάστηκε να ζητήσει την βοήθεια των θεών για να την μετατρέψουν σε άνθρωπο. Κάτι αντίστοιχο συμβαίνει με τον καθηγητή και την Ελίζα, μόνο που η ταξική διαφορά μεταξύ τους δεν μπορεί να λυθεί με την βοήθεια της Αφροδίτης.
Υστερόγραφο: Η Ελίζα Ντούλιτλ είναι γραμμένη με εξαιρετική έμφαση στην λεπτομέρεια και ολοκληρωμένο χαρακτήρα, πράγμα αξιοθαύμαστο αν σκεφτείς ότι πρόκειται για γυναίκα σε έργο του 1912.
Ετσί όπως το βλέπω εγώ, το βιβλίο αφηγείται δύο ιστορίες ταυτόχρονα. Η προφανής είναι αυτή της Ελίζας, η οποία ζει στις φτωχογειτονιές του Λονδίνου πουλώντας λουλούδια στον δρόμο, μέχρι την στιγμή που ο παγκοσμίου φήμης γλωσσολόγος Χένρυ Χίγγινς της κάνει δωρεάν μαθήματα προφοράς ώστε να μην προδίδεται η καταγωγή της. Η συγκεκριμένη πλοκή δεν μένει μόνο εκεί, για την ακρίβεια αποτέλουν με το ζόρι μία σύνοψη της πρώτης πράξης. Γενικότερα αυτά τα μαθήματα θα είναι ο καταλύτης για να έρθουν τα πάνω κάτω στην ζωή της Ελίζας, και εμείς είμαστε σε μία γωνάι και παρακολουθούμε καθόλη την διάρκεια.
Η δεύτερη "πλοκή" του βιβλίου αφορά περισσότερο το κοινωνικό και οικονομικό χάσμα των τάξεων στην Αγγλία του Shaw, που καταφέρνει να τονίσει σε κάθε σελίδα χωρίς όμως να γίνεται ποτέ πληκτικός. Ο καθηγητής θέλει να κάνει την Ελίζα να ανήκει στην υψηλή κοινωνία, και ξέρει ότι το μόνο που χρειάζεται είναι να τις μάθει πλασματικούς κανόνες συμπεριφοράς και γλωσσολογίας. Η υψηλή κοινωνία του Λονδίνου δεν παρουσιάζεται σαν κάτι το αξιοθαύμαστο γιατί δεν είναι κάτι το αξιοθαύμαστο, ενώ οι περισσότεροι θα συμφωνούσαν ότι ο εξυπνότερος χαρακτήρας του βιβλίου είναι ο σκουπιδιάρης πατέρας της Ελίζας. Και παρά τα τόσα παραδείγματα "ταξικής συνείδησης" σε σχεδόν κάθε πτυχή του βιβλίου, η ιστορία δεν προπαγανδίζει γιατί χρησμοποιεί σκηνικά και χαρακτηρές που είναι και απαραίτητα για την πλοκή, και πιστά στην εποχή τους.
Η ίδια η περιγραφή του goodreads το θέτει καλύτερα από ότι θα μπορούσα εγώ. Ο Πυγμαλίωνας της αρχαίας μυθολογίας ερωτεύθηκε το γλυπτό που ο ίδιος έφτιαξε, και αναγκάστηκε να ζητήσει την βοήθεια των θεών για να την μετατρέψουν σε άνθρωπο. Κάτι αντίστοιχο συμβαίνει με τον καθηγητή και την Ελίζα, μόνο που η ταξική διαφορά μεταξύ τους δεν μπορεί να λυθεί με την βοήθεια της Αφροδίτης.
Υστερόγραφο: Η Ελίζα Ντούλιτλ είναι γραμμένη με εξαιρετική έμφαση στην λεπτομέρεια και ολοκληρωμένο χαρακτήρα, πράγμα αξιοθαύμαστο αν σκεφτείς ότι πρόκειται για γυναίκα σε έργο του 1912.
May 10, 2023
I saw My Fair Lady (MFL) the musical, then read Pygmalion, then watched Pygmalion (1938). I haven't watched the MFL movie yet.
Pygmalion: I liked this a lot. It has some of my favorite dialogue of all time. It's way easier to understand the characters when you have the text descriptions of them, this applies to MFL too. Unlike MFL, Eliza ends up with Freddy, explicitly, which is better for the story. I think Higgins makes for a good character. He isn't really a villain - because he is explicitly unaware of his impact on people - but he's not a good character to emulate. I think Eliza was wrong to get attached to the point where she'd get upset and leave (especially considering Higgins was always rude, and only took her on as a bet), but it's still pretty understandable.
Pygmalion (1938). Really cool to see what MFL got from this adaptation. Notably the 'how kind of you let me come' melody. Also the 'I could have danced all night' intervals are in the ballroom scene here. The teaching montage was a little goofy, but that's fine.
MFL (book and musical): My favorite musical. I think all the changes with Alfred Doolittle are good. In Pygmalion, his change seems more random, but in MFL there is more foreshadowing for it. Also having him show up early on makes more sense for his appearances at all. They got rid of Freddy's sister as a character - which I think it fine. They changed the scene in Mrs. Higgins home to the horse race scene - which made Eliza being out of place more obvious, and also gives a funny reference for the intro to 'On the Street Where You Live'. 'You Did It' makes it much more obvious why Eliza is upset and leaves. While I like 'Without You', I think the whole confrontation scene is better in Pygmalion. I don't really see why Eliza would come back at the end. Freddy seems to be a moron so I don't think she should have ended up with him, but going back to Higgins doesn't make sense to me.
Pygmalion: I liked this a lot. It has some of my favorite dialogue of all time. It's way easier to understand the characters when you have the text descriptions of them, this applies to MFL too. Unlike MFL, Eliza ends up with Freddy, explicitly, which is better for the story. I think Higgins makes for a good character. He isn't really a villain - because he is explicitly unaware of his impact on people - but he's not a good character to emulate. I think Eliza was wrong to get attached to the point where she'd get upset and leave (especially considering Higgins was always rude, and only took her on as a bet), but it's still pretty understandable.
Pygmalion (1938). Really cool to see what MFL got from this adaptation. Notably the 'how kind of you let me come' melody. Also the 'I could have danced all night' intervals are in the ballroom scene here. The teaching montage was a little goofy, but that's fine.
MFL (book and musical): My favorite musical. I think all the changes with Alfred Doolittle are good. In Pygmalion, his change seems more random, but in MFL there is more foreshadowing for it. Also having him show up early on makes more sense for his appearances at all. They got rid of Freddy's sister as a character - which I think it fine. They changed the scene in Mrs. Higgins home to the horse race scene - which made Eliza being out of place more obvious, and also gives a funny reference for the intro to 'On the Street Where You Live'. 'You Did It' makes it much more obvious why Eliza is upset and leaves. While I like 'Without You', I think the whole confrontation scene is better in Pygmalion. I don't really see why Eliza would come back at the end. Freddy seems to be a moron so I don't think she should have ended up with him, but going back to Higgins doesn't make sense to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2017
Pygmalion is one of those stories that reaffirm the old adage that the original is always better. The story of Professor Henry Higgins teaching and molding the down on her luck flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a “lady” has been done countless times (Pretty Women and My Fair Lady probably being two of the most famous examples), but Shaw’s original play still holds something unique and special.
Despite the story that is funny and endearing on the surface, Shaw utilizes his play to attack social hierarchies and the very idea of status. Eliza captures the audience’s sympathy with her headstrong and fight back attitude as well as her bold ambition to do whatever it takes to improve her lot in life and go after her own success, but she is more than just a mere flower girl. Instead the character of Eliza represents the lower classes of English society who are barred from achieving greater status, opportunity, and respect due to circumstances out of their control. Higgins, on the other hand, proud, arrogant, and privileged, represents those in England that benefit from a stroke of luck.
Such a juxtaposition reveals the central question of the work: what makes a lady or a gentleman? Their birthright? Their fortune? Their behavior? Their access to education?
Moreover, Shaw deepens this comparison between the two classes in presenting the higher echelons of society to be the most constricting and miserable. After achieving her transformation in being taken for a princess, Eliza feels lost and unhappy, realizing she has lost the ability to be herself. When poor and impoverished she was allowed to feel and display natural emotions as well as assert her own opinion without fear of rejection or judgement. After seeing her goal through, however, Eliza states she is no longer fit to sell anything but herself. Marriage has become her only opportunity while the thought of her own flower shop becomes a lost dream, begging yet another question: what is the price of status?
It is these questions that give the original play so much more depth. A depth that has a tendency to get lost in translation every now and then. So,no, I would not say the story of Pygmalion is one of an unconventional romance between a wealthy professor and a poor flower girl. That particular plot is one left for the movies and musicals. In fact, in Shaw’s original work Eliza doesn’t end up with Higgins at all.
That said, the play’s deeper meanings and critiques are hidden under witty banter that leaves them feeling a little less daunting (I found one of my new favorite insults a la’ Henry Higgins- “you draggle-tailed guttersnipe”). The adventures and trials Eliza must face in her attempts to pass as a lady are hilarious under most circumstances and entertaining under all. The clash of personalities and the pride of both lead characters will have you, if nothing else, laughing.
What I Liked:
1. The language. Reading Eliza’s cockney accent was like trying to solve a puzzle, and both she and Professor Higgins had colorful language to say the least. The banter and arguments that ensue give the play its more lighthearted feel and keep the play’s societal critiques from bogging down both the plot and its audience.
2. The female characters. Eliza and Mrs. Higgins, the main two female characters of the play, were both presented as headstrong, intelligent, and independent. Despite being of two different worlds, the two women admired one another for these characteristics and bonded over their refusal to allow men to dictate their lives and behavior as well as ignore their contributions and abilities.
Colonel Pickering. Eliza’s kind benefactor, who held two purposes: to act as a foil to Higgins and to remind the audience that another’s status is not determined by birth or behavior but in how you treat them.
3. The depth. As always, I love any story that can make me think a little harder about life, society, and everything in between. A book that can do that and make me laugh? It must be a score.
What I Didn’t Like:
1. Henry Higgins. Well, at least his attitude. Initially described as almost childlike and unused to getting his way, Higgins underwent very little transformation throughout the play, save realizing he did indeed enjoy Eliza’s company and in fact needed her around. Other than that, he stayed rude, petulant, and arrogant. While other characters chastised him or called him out for his bullying behavior, they often ended up meekly accepting the fact he would not change and moving on from there. I would have liked to see Higgins have more development and maybe a moment of humility.
2. The emphasis placed on Eliza’s ignorance. While it is mentioned that Eliza was a good student with a quick ear for language, the fact she is naive and ignorant in manners and education is also repeated again and again. So much so as to have her later repeat the same phrases. I don’t have a clear reason why this bothered me so much. I just know that it irked me to no end.
P.S. Did you know that the original idea for Pygmalion came from a greek myth of the same name in which a sculptor, Pygmalion, fell in love with one of his statues, invoking Aphrodite’s pity, as his love while true could not overcome the barrier of stone, so much so as to persuade her to bring the statue to life and present her as his bride?
***If you liked this review, please visit my blog at www.speakingacrosscenturies.com for more reviews and articles***
Despite the story that is funny and endearing on the surface, Shaw utilizes his play to attack social hierarchies and the very idea of status. Eliza captures the audience’s sympathy with her headstrong and fight back attitude as well as her bold ambition to do whatever it takes to improve her lot in life and go after her own success, but she is more than just a mere flower girl. Instead the character of Eliza represents the lower classes of English society who are barred from achieving greater status, opportunity, and respect due to circumstances out of their control. Higgins, on the other hand, proud, arrogant, and privileged, represents those in England that benefit from a stroke of luck.
Such a juxtaposition reveals the central question of the work: what makes a lady or a gentleman? Their birthright? Their fortune? Their behavior? Their access to education?
Moreover, Shaw deepens this comparison between the two classes in presenting the higher echelons of society to be the most constricting and miserable. After achieving her transformation in being taken for a princess, Eliza feels lost and unhappy, realizing she has lost the ability to be herself. When poor and impoverished she was allowed to feel and display natural emotions as well as assert her own opinion without fear of rejection or judgement. After seeing her goal through, however, Eliza states she is no longer fit to sell anything but herself. Marriage has become her only opportunity while the thought of her own flower shop becomes a lost dream, begging yet another question: what is the price of status?
It is these questions that give the original play so much more depth. A depth that has a tendency to get lost in translation every now and then. So,no, I would not say the story of Pygmalion is one of an unconventional romance between a wealthy professor and a poor flower girl. That particular plot is one left for the movies and musicals. In fact, in Shaw’s original work Eliza doesn’t end up with Higgins at all.
That said, the play’s deeper meanings and critiques are hidden under witty banter that leaves them feeling a little less daunting (I found one of my new favorite insults a la’ Henry Higgins- “you draggle-tailed guttersnipe”). The adventures and trials Eliza must face in her attempts to pass as a lady are hilarious under most circumstances and entertaining under all. The clash of personalities and the pride of both lead characters will have you, if nothing else, laughing.
What I Liked:
1. The language. Reading Eliza’s cockney accent was like trying to solve a puzzle, and both she and Professor Higgins had colorful language to say the least. The banter and arguments that ensue give the play its more lighthearted feel and keep the play’s societal critiques from bogging down both the plot and its audience.
2. The female characters. Eliza and Mrs. Higgins, the main two female characters of the play, were both presented as headstrong, intelligent, and independent. Despite being of two different worlds, the two women admired one another for these characteristics and bonded over their refusal to allow men to dictate their lives and behavior as well as ignore their contributions and abilities.
Colonel Pickering. Eliza’s kind benefactor, who held two purposes: to act as a foil to Higgins and to remind the audience that another’s status is not determined by birth or behavior but in how you treat them.
3. The depth. As always, I love any story that can make me think a little harder about life, society, and everything in between. A book that can do that and make me laugh? It must be a score.
What I Didn’t Like:
1. Henry Higgins. Well, at least his attitude. Initially described as almost childlike and unused to getting his way, Higgins underwent very little transformation throughout the play, save realizing he did indeed enjoy Eliza’s company and in fact needed her around. Other than that, he stayed rude, petulant, and arrogant. While other characters chastised him or called him out for his bullying behavior, they often ended up meekly accepting the fact he would not change and moving on from there. I would have liked to see Higgins have more development and maybe a moment of humility.
2. The emphasis placed on Eliza’s ignorance. While it is mentioned that Eliza was a good student with a quick ear for language, the fact she is naive and ignorant in manners and education is also repeated again and again. So much so as to have her later repeat the same phrases. I don’t have a clear reason why this bothered me so much. I just know that it irked me to no end.
P.S. Did you know that the original idea for Pygmalion came from a greek myth of the same name in which a sculptor, Pygmalion, fell in love with one of his statues, invoking Aphrodite’s pity, as his love while true could not overcome the barrier of stone, so much so as to persuade her to bring the statue to life and present her as his bride?
***If you liked this review, please visit my blog at www.speakingacrosscenturies.com for more reviews and articles***
May 31, 2017
I read Pygmalion when I was a senior in high school, and we read it along with the Showtime version of Pygmalion starring Peter O'Toole (boy, was he amazing). I still enjoyed reading it this time around, and I think I have a better sense of the seriousness of the play and its meaning.
I admire Eliza for knowing herself well enough to go her own way at the end of the play. Good for her that she left that awful Higgins behind!
Now, I have never seen My Fair Lady, so I have no idea how it differs from the play. I can't say that I liked the "My Fair Lady" play all that much because it was a somewhat romanticized version of Pygmalion. I don't think the raw ending of Pygmalion needed to be changed. I like the thought of Eliza leaving Higgins and never looking back.
I admire Eliza for knowing herself well enough to go her own way at the end of the play. Good for her that she left that awful Higgins behind!
Now, I have never seen My Fair Lady, so I have no idea how it differs from the play. I can't say that I liked the "My Fair Lady" play all that much because it was a somewhat romanticized version of Pygmalion. I don't think the raw ending of Pygmalion needed to be changed. I like the thought of Eliza leaving Higgins and never looking back.
January 1, 2019
I loved it. I loved that my edition had an add on by Shaw of what would most likely happen at the end of this story, very much unlike the movie version. And I loved that so much. Not saying that I didn't very much enjoy the movie, but nearing to the end (after "Show me" song maybe?) I found it hard to believe that they fell in love. It's like, on Elementary, with Watson and Sherlock. Not a romantic relationship, just one of codependency and friendship.
August 28, 2021
100 years of books challenge, published in 1956 (as My Fair Lady)
My family and I enjoyed listening to Pygmalion/My Fair Lady on a very pleasant Saturday morning. I've become a big fan of listening to the audio of plays. It was interesting afterward to re-watch the musical based on the play and realize that the dialogue was almost word for word.
Very clever writing and characterization. The misogyny is hard to take, but definitely fits the time it was written.
My family and I enjoyed listening to Pygmalion/My Fair Lady on a very pleasant Saturday morning. I've become a big fan of listening to the audio of plays. It was interesting afterward to re-watch the musical based on the play and realize that the dialogue was almost word for word.
Very clever writing and characterization. The misogyny is hard to take, but definitely fits the time it was written.
December 8, 2017
You finish this play and in your mind still spins the question what is the relationship like between Professor Higgins and his made-up girl?
It is a masterpiece for Bernard Shaw that inspires a lot of writers to have such a relationship on the stage or in films
I’ve liked it and it is a proof how a person can change someone’s life.
It is a masterpiece for Bernard Shaw that inspires a lot of writers to have such a relationship on the stage or in films
I’ve liked it and it is a proof how a person can change someone’s life.
February 17, 2018
Great story that really plays with the idea of class, upbringing, and gender. For those who don't know, both Pygmalion and My Fair Lady are essentially the same thing. One's a play and the other is a musical. There are also slight plot differences. A great read and a classic of modern theater.
May 26, 2019
Really enjoyed this. It is so very close to the classic movie. In the end, Shaw goes into details about what happened next. Many times I wish authors would do this to give the reader a little closure. However, now that I have read the "what comes next", I'm not sure that I like it. I'll leave you to read it yourself, it is a very short book and if you liked the movie you will like the book.
January 28, 2021
One of my fav musicals growing up was, My Favorite Lady. My Fair Lady is the story of a young flower girl who meets a Master of Phonetics and teaches her to speak beautifully. It was a true treat to read the play and then to experience the Play that My Fair Lady is based on. Beautiful reading experience particularly for fans of My Fair Lady
June 19, 2021
I had read and seen the movie a long time ago. I believe I could appreciate the story more now that I am older. The fact that there's privilege that comes with a certain class status rings so true. The words and how we out them together reflects on our background. I think this was a timely book . I was bogged down at times, but overall the book is interesting.
September 12, 2021
Witness an evolution from a Greek Myth between woman-hater and his creation, into an English woman's happy ending, into a different happy ending for both Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins.
This book is written in scripted form. I had fun referring to this book to sing along with the music of "My Fair Lady."
This book is written in scripted form. I had fun referring to this book to sing along with the music of "My Fair Lady."
March 18, 2018
Phenomenal and great! Memorable quotes from both the play and the musical. The songs on My Fair Lady were incredible! The play itself was enjoyable and had some interesting characters. Great read, I can't believe my senior year self didn't care for it in high school
March 25, 2019
this book was probably one of the worst books I've ever read; there was NO action and it was SO hard to follow because of how it was formatted and the spellings of the words said with an accent... not very impressed.
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