Joanna Dias
How does Shaw introduce his ideas about society and language in the first two acts of Pygmalion?
From the first two acts of Pygmalion, Bernard Shaw has already begun to develop society and language using a number of different techniques and aspects. In the first act the audience is introduced to three main social classes all brought together by the weather. We see their stereotyped judgements, their attitudes and prejudices against each other. It is Higgins belief that men trying to climb the social ladder will “give themselves away every time they open their mouths” (Act 1). Shaw also uses accent, revealing society’s bias that accent is the key to social status. This is already apparent through the proleptic irony of Liza, and the status of those around her. Humour is used to show how different the characters’ situations are. Each class has at least one character that is humorous, but all their wit and comedy originates from different sources, for example Liza and her need for money. The first two acts of Pygmalion show great insight into the well-rounded representatives, which will come together and make Shaw’s image of society.
Shaw commences by exploring the different social classes. All classes have been unexpectedly gathered under a shelter from the rain and bustling streets of London. There are three main types. The upper class consisting of Higgins and Pickering, the servants consisting of Mrs Pearce, and the lower class consisting of the Dolittles. The assortment of social classes have little respect of each other, but are together cautiously civil. However Higgins disrupts the peace by commenting that a woman who talks with a cockney accent has “no right to live” (Act 1). He sees no harm in expressing his extreme prejudices, widening the gap between the social classes. This prejudice is seen in act two when Higgins describes the current stranger, Alfred Dolittle, as a “blackguard.” He makes the assumption that Dolittle is an uncivil, unpleasant human being simply because he is Liza’s father and therefore the same class. Even Pickering assumes they will “have trouble with him”(Act 2). This is a rare example in the first two acts of Pickering sharing the same prejudices as Higgins. In act two Pickering urges take “no advantage” of Liza’s position. Shaw avoids using stereotypes. He portrays Higgins as a man who goes in the opposite direction to the rest of society in most matters. He would take the chance of trying to turn Liza into “the Queen of Sheba” (Act 1). He is impatient with high society, forgetful of his public graces, and poorly considerable of normal social niceties. Along with believing he alone has the ability to change a persons direction in life. Shaw also represents the differences between the social classes in the characters of Liza and Clara, the daughter. Clara is a weak, fragile character. Her reaction when Freddy fails to find her a cab is “Do you expect us to go and get one ourselves?”(Act 1) She is impatient and completely dependent on others. However, lower down in social status in Liza who is a complete contrast. She is witty and strong. She encourages the gentleman by telling him to “cheer up; and buy a flower off a poor girl.” Unlike Clara she is very independent which is also shown in Act two when she asks Higgins for lesson. In this case Higgins main belief is that Liza’s accent can change her status.
