Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw | Symbols

Summary

In the play 'Pygmalion,' the flower shop symbolizes Eliza's aspirations for a refined life, driving her transformation from a flower girl to a lady. The mirror in her bathroom represents self-awareness and identity, highlighting her journey towards gentility. Clothing acts as a social status indicator, reflecting Eliza's and Doolittle's metamorphosis. Despite their external changes, the characters grapple with the authenticity of their new personas and the societal perceptions they challenge.

Takeaways

• 🌸 The flower shop symbolizes Eliza's aspirations and the transformation she undergoes to achieve a more 'genteel' way of speaking and working there.
• 👗 Clothing in the play serves as a reflection of the characters' social status and their journey through social mobility.
• 🔄 Eliza's metamorphosis is marked by her change in attire, signifying her transition from a flower girl to a lady.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Doolittle's change in clothing, from a dustman to a gentleman, illustrates the superficiality of social perception based on appearance.
• 🤵 Mr. Doolittle's entrance in a fashionable outfit in Act 5 signifies his rise in social status, yet it also highlights the superficiality of his transformation.
• 🪞 The mirror in Eliza's bathroom represents self-awareness and identity, as it forces her to confront her current state and the need for change.
• 🛁 Eliza's initial reaction to the mirror and subsequent bathing symbolize her journey towards self-improvement and the possibility of change.
• 🌐 The play explores the theme of societal perceptions and how they can be influenced or even misled by external appearances.
• 🎭 The characters' interactions with symbols like the flower shop, clothing, and mirror underscore the themes of identity, class, and transformation.
• 📚 Eliza's dream of working in a florist shop is a driving force for her character development, though it evolves as she gains a new social standing.
• 🔄 The play suggests that while external changes like clothing can alter perceptions, true transformation involves a deeper, internal shift.

Q & A

What does the flower shop symbolize in 'Pygmalion'?

The flower shop in 'Pygmalion' symbolizes Eliza's dream and aspiration to improve herself and her social status, as she is determined to be able to speak more genteel to secure a job there.

How does Eliza's transformation affect her initial dream of working in a flower shop?

Eliza's transformation into a fine lady disqualifies her from earning her own living in the way she initially envisioned, as she has developed the manners and habits of a fine lady, which are not compatible with working in a florist shop.

What role does clothing play in reflecting the social status of characters in 'Pygmalion'?

Clothing in 'Pygmalion' serves as a visual representation of the characters' social status and their transformation. For example, Eliza's change in attire signifies her metamorphosis from a flower girl to a lady, and Doolittle's new clothes reflect his rise from a dustman to a gentleman.

How does Mr. Doolittle's change in clothing affect how others perceive him?

When Mr. Doolittle appears in fashionable attire, he is perceived as a gentleman by others, illustrating the notion that a change in clothing can alter people's perceptions of one's social standing.

What does the mirror symbolize in Eliza's transformation process?

The mirror symbolizes self-awareness and identity in Eliza's transformation. When she first sees herself in the mirror, she is confronted with her current state and realizes the need for change, which is a pivotal moment in her journey.

How does Eliza's initial reaction to the mirror in her new bathroom reflect her self-perception?

Eliza's initial reaction to the mirror, where she doesn't know which way to look and eventually covers it with a towel, shows her discomfort with her current self-perception and her recognition of the need for change.

What does Eliza's emergence from the bath looking like a Japanese lady signify?

Eliza's appearance as a Japanese lady after taking a bath signifies the possibility of change and transformation, as well as the impact of external influences on one's identity.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between social standing and personal attributes in 'Pygmalion'?

The script suggests that social standing is often superficial and can be influenced by external appearances, such as clothing. However, true gentlemanly attributes are not merely about appearance but are also about internal qualities that are sometimes forced upon individuals by societal expectations.

How does the script explore the theme of identity and transformation in 'Pygmalion'?

The script explores the theme of identity and transformation through the use of symbols like the flower shop, clothing, and the mirror, which highlight the characters' aspirations, social mobility, and self-awareness.

What is the significance of Eliza's dream of working in a flower shop in relation to her character development?

Eliza's dream of working in a flower shop signifies her initial aspirations and the beginning of her character development. As the play progresses, her dream evolves, reflecting her growth and the complexity of her identity.

How does the script use the concept of 'genteel' speech to highlight social class distinctions in 'Pygmalion'?

The script uses the concept of 'genteel' speech as a marker of social class, showing how language and mannerisms can be a barrier or a bridge to social mobility, as seen in Eliza's efforts to learn proper speech to fit into a higher social class.

Outlines

00:00

🌸 The Symbolism of Dreams and Transformation in 'Pygmalion'

The first paragraph discusses the symbolic elements in George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion'. The flower shop represents Eliza's aspirations and her willingness to transform herself to achieve her dream of working there, which involves learning to speak 'more genteel'. The clothing of characters, such as Eliza's and Doolittle's, signifies their social status and transformation throughout the play. Eliza's father's change in attire from a dustman to a gentleman reflects the superficial nature of social perception. The mirror in Eliza's bathroom symbolizes self-awareness and identity, highlighting her journey from a flower girl to a lady and the realization of the need for change.

Keywords

💡Pygmalion

Pygmalion is a reference to the Greek mythological figure and also the title of the play by George Bernard Shaw, which the video script discusses. In the context of the video, Pygmalion symbolizes the transformation of a commoner into a refined individual, as seen with Eliza Doolittle's journey from a flower girl to a lady under Professor Higgins' tutelage.

💡Eliza

Eliza, short for Eliza Doolittle, is the main character in Shaw's 'Pygmalion.' She is a flower girl who aspires to elevate her social status by improving her speech and manners. The script highlights her transformation and the challenges she faces in pursuing her dream of working in a flower shop.

💡Flower Shop

The flower shop in the script represents Eliza's dream and aspiration. It is the place she wishes to work at, symbolizing her desire for a better life. The shop's refusal to hire her until she speaks 'more genteel' motivates her to undergo a transformation.

💡Transformation

Transformation is a central theme in the video, referring to the process by which Eliza changes her speech, manners, and appearance to fit into a higher social class. Her transformation is both physical and social, as she learns to behave like a lady and is perceived differently by society.

💡Social Status

Social status is a key concept in the script, indicating the position of a person within a social hierarchy. The script discusses how clothing and manners can reflect and alter one's social status, as seen with Eliza's and Doolittle's changes in appearance and behavior.

💡Clothing

Clothing in the script is used as a symbol to represent the social class and the transformation of characters. For instance, Eliza's change in attire signifies her transition from a flower girl to a lady, while Doolittle's new clothes after his rise in wealth reflect his altered social perception.

💡Mirror

The mirror in the script symbolizes self-awareness and identity. When Eliza first sees herself in the mirror, she is confronted with her current state, which is a catalyst for change. The mirror serves as a tool for Eliza to recognize her need for transformation and to see the results of her efforts.

💡Genteel

Genteel in the script refers to a refined and polite manner of speaking, which is a marker of higher social status. Eliza's desire to 'talk more genteel' is a driving force behind her decision to change and learn the manners of a lady.

💡Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is used in the script to describe the profound change Eliza undergoes, not just in her speech but also in her overall demeanor and social standing. It is a term that encapsulates the complete transformation from a flower girl to a lady.

💡Dream

Dream in the script represents the aspirations and goals that motivate the characters, particularly Eliza. Her dream of working in a flower shop is what initiates her journey of self-improvement and transformation.

💡Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is a concept in the script that emerges when Eliza looks into the mirror and sees herself for the first time without her usual defenses. This moment of self-awareness is crucial as it leads to her realization of the need for change and her subsequent actions.

Highlights

The flower shop represents Eliza's dream to transform herself and work there by improving her speech.

Eliza's dream of working in a flower shop evolves as she develops the manners of a fine lady, disqualifying her from her original goal.

Clothing symbolizes the social status and transformation of characters like Eliza and Doolittle.

Higgins' disregard for Eliza is reflected in his choice of clothing, representing her class and his view of her.

Doolittle's rise from dustman to gentleman is symbolized by his change in attire when he appears in fashionable clothing.

The perception of others is influenced by a change in clothing, as seen when Doolittle is announced as a gentleman due to his new look.

Despite Doolittle's rise in social standing, his gentlemanly attributes are superficial and forced upon him.

Eliza's encounter with a mirror in her new bathroom signifies self-awareness and the need for change.

The mirror reveals Eliza's unguarded self, prompting her to recognize her personal habits and the possibility of transformation.

Eliza's change in appearance after bathing, from a disheveled flower girl to a clean, delicate Japanese lady, symbolizes the possibility of change.

The mirror serves as a symbol of identity and self-awareness, as Eliza sees herself in a new light.

Eliza's transformation is not only external but also internal, as she gains self-awareness and reconsiders her future.

The play explores the theme of social mobility and the superficiality of appearances in determining one's social status.

The characters' clothing and the mirror serve as powerful symbols to convey the themes of identity, transformation, and social perception.

Eliza's journey from a flower girl to a lady is a metamorphosis that challenges the rigid class structures of the time.

The play suggests that while external changes like clothing can alter perceptions, true transformation involves internal growth and self-awareness.

The flower shop, clothing, and mirror are interconnected symbols that drive the narrative and character development in Pygmalion.

Transcripts

[Music]

the flower shop clothing and the mirror

are symbols in Pygmalion the flower shop

represents the dream that drives Eliza

to Higgins's laboratory after all the

shop won't hire Eliza unless she is able

to as she puts it talk more genteel it

is a dream for which she is willing to

transform herself by the end of the play

Eliza has developed the manners and

habits that disqualify a fine lady from

earning her own living though Higgins

reminds her about her dream of working

in a florist shop Eliza

may have outgrown a particular dream and

will have to rethink her future clothing

reflects the social status of characters

for example he consists Lipper's

represent his class as well as his

disregard for Eliza as a symbol clothing

represents Eliza's metamorphosis from

flower girl to lady and Doolittle's rise

from dust man to gentleman

Eliza's father in particular illustrates

the notion that a change of clothing may

alter other people's perceptions when he

makes an entrance in act to clad in a

costume of his profession he is happy

and proud to be one of the undeserving

poor by act 5 his unlooked-for a rise in

wealth as a parent when he arrives at

the home of mrs. Eakins wearing a

fashionable frock coat with white weskit

and grey trousers dazzling silk hat and

patent leather shoes

he appears every inch a gentleman and

has announced as such by the parlor maid

however his new look is misleading

while his social standing has risen his

only gentlemanly attributes are those

that have been forced upon him as

middle-class morality claims its victim

in act 2 Eliza is shocked to find a

mirror in her new bathroom she doesn't

know which way to look

and finally hangs a towel over it this

represents the moment when Eliza

unguardedly sees herself as she is dirty

disheveled and far from ladylike in her

personal habits cloaked in a blue cotton

kimono she emerges looking like a dainty

and exquisitely clean young Japanese

lady

Eliza's glimpse in the mirror reveals to

her the need for a change and the

results of taking a bath prove that

change is possible

thus the mirror symbolizes

self-awareness and identity