Pygmalion is a play by George Bernard Shaw, first performed in 1913. It tells the story of Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, who makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can transform a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a lady of high society by teaching her to speak with an upper-class accent. The play follows Eliza's transformation from a poor, uneducated flower girl to a woman of refinement and sophistication. Along the way, she learns to stand up for herself and to take pride in her accomplishments. However, Higgins' treatment of Eliza is often harsh and insensitive, and she eventually realizes that she is not truly accepted by the upper class. The play is a commentary on class distinctions in British society and the power of language to shape one's identity. It also explores themes of gender roles, relationships, and the power of education.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1912 · Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama · 7 chapters