Pygmalion: Act V

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Pygmalion Act V

• Two Kinds of Transformation

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ACT V TWO KINDS OF TRANSFORMATION

• Two Transformations
• Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman
• Elizas Relapses Class Issues
• Higgins and Elizas Battle of Will

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Starting Questions (1)

• Two Transformations
• Mr. Doolittle (pp. 89-93) what do you think
  about his transformation? Is it funny?
  Ironical? What does it say about Mr. Higgins and
  the issue of morality in Victorian society? And
  about Mr. Doolittle? Do you agree with him that
  taking the money and being intimidated by
  middle-class morality is the only choice he has?
• How is he a contrast to Eliza? (re. money, class
  status and marriage)
• Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman
• In what ways do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering
  and Mrs. Higgins help Eliza get a better life?
  What does she achieve by herself?

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Starting Questions (1)

• 3. Class
• The difference between a lady and a flower girl
  is not how she behaves, but how's she's treated.
  Do you agree?
• Does Eliza have a relapse (to low-class
  manners) when she sees her father? (99)
• 4. Higgins and Eliza
• Acts IV V show Higgins undergoing changes
  regarding his views of and relation to Eliza.
  Where are the turning points and are there traces
  of his affection for her?
• What do they each insist on and see as goals of
  their lives? What do you think about the ending
  of Act V? Would you be happy with it as the
  plays ending (without the sequel)?

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1. TWO TRANSFORMATIONS

• Mr. Doolittle (pp. 89-93) --what do you think
  about his transformation? Is it funny?
  Ironical? What does it say about Mr. Higgins and
  the issue of morality in Victorian society?
• -- And about Mr. Doolittle? Do you agree with
  him that taking the money and being intimidated
  by middle-class morality is the only choice he
  has?
• 2) How is he a contrast to Eliza? (re. money,
  class status and marriage)

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Higgins Role in Mr. Doolittles Changes

1. the most original moralist at present in England
   (a silly joke)? Wannafeller
2. Dustman! Oh no, sir a gentleman.
3. Ruined me. Destroyed my happiness. Tied me up
   and delivered me into the hands of middle class
   morality (91)

you, Enry Iggins(90).
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Mr. Doolittles Changes

• His changes (pp. 89-93) tied to middleclass
  morality and intimidated.
• money regular pension of 3 thousand a year on
  the condition of giving 6 speeches a year for the
  Moral Reform World League.
• money? seen as a benefactor of relatives and
  patient of doctors (92)
• Used to "put the touch" on anyone for drinking
  money ? Now everyone (50 relatives) comes to
  him, demanding favors and monetary support.
• Used to be shoved around (or shut of??) by
  doctors and solicitors ? Now the center of their
  attention.
• language 'Ill have to learn to speak middle
  class language from you, instead of speaking
  proper English. Thats where youll come in and
  I daresay thats what you done it for.'
• marriage Has to get married. (100)

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Mr. Doolittles Changes (2) Related Issues

• A. Creator Henry Higgins is not careful about
  the changes he may bring to others
• B. Mr. Doolittles Education? Not really.
• 1. No choice given the choice between the
  Skilly of the workhouse and the Char Bydis of the
  middle class (Scylla and Charybdis an Italian
  rock and a whirlpool nearby) Money is still
  attractive for him as an undeserving poor,
  since going to the workhouse (???????) is the
  only alternative.
• 2. Money still selfish
• Creates a sense of burden, too. (expected to be
  respectable and to support others.)
• Cares about Eliza only in terms of middle class
  morality(95) does not want to support her.
• C. Social Morality superficial, promoted through
  making speeches?

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Mr. Doolittle vs. Elizaboth dis-classed
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2. Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman

• In what ways do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering
  and Mrs. Higgins help Eliza get a better life?
• What does she achieve by herself?

From Romance to Social Realism Whether as
Pygmalion story or that of self-made woman,
Elizas story cannot be a complete success
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Creators, Helpers and Creatures

• Creator Higgins ? Mr. D and Eliza, careless
  about the other consequences
• Helpers???

Pickering Yes in her self-respect (courteous manners, preventing sexual exploitation) -- sequel offers financial support No -- gets carried away by experiment and then its success -- not know what to do but calling the police -- suspects E of buying D clothes -- does not understand E asks Eliza back, but on Higgins side
Mrs. Pearce Yes in manners (language, table manners and dressing) ? No -- limited (glad to get help can only say You dont think sir.)
Mrs. Higgins Yes In speaking for Eliza (Act III V) and offering a space for negotiation. (94-96) No -- the last ambiguous remark I'm afraid youve spoiled that girl, Henry.
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Elizas Self-Transformation

• Asserting herself
• Fighting back in their battle of wills
• sequel Making a wise choice of the weak
• sequel Continuous self-improvement through
  going to classes
• But sequel
• She still needs financial support
• She is still attracted to Higgins.
• She is limited in receiving education.

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3. Class Issues

• The difference between a lady and a flower girl
  is not how she behaves, but how's she's treated.
  Do you agree?
• Does Eliza have a relapse (to low-class
  manners) when she sees her father? (99)

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4-1. The difference between a lady and a flower
girl is not how she behaves, but how's she's
treated.

• Yes and No.
• Yes Ones social identity is relational. We
  cannot insists on a certain identity unless we
  are recognized as such by others, or through some
  rituals.
• No Since social identity is relational, we need
  to produce signs and send out messages expressive
  of this identity.

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Elizas Relapse?

• A. Eliza
• When seeing her father a natural response, which
  shows that one cannot forget ones mother tongue
  completely.
• (p. 108) Enry Iggins used consciously as a
  means of getting even or fighting back.
• Mr. Dolittle
• The father Enry Iggins (90, 95) -- just a sign
  of anger.

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Lets Take a Break!!!

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4. Higgins and Elizas Battle of Will

• Battle of Will What do they each insist on and
  see as goals of their lives? How do they change
  their tactics to win the debate?
• Higgins changes Acts IV V show Higgins
  undergoing changes regarding his views of and
  relation to Eliza. Where are the turning points
  and are there traces of his affection for her?
• Ending What do you think about the ending of
  Act V? Would you be happy with it as the plays
  ending (without the sequel)?

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First Battle in Act II
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2nd Battle in Act IV
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Their Battle of Wills in Act V
Higgins Eliza
0. (96) As possessive as a god (97) Does not trust Elizas improvement (relapse) 1. real education (97-98) cares about manners, proper language and respect
Asks her to go back. 3. (after the interruption of Doolittle) equality 1 (102) The same manner to everyone 2. terms? usage as a maid (102)
5. Independence/arrogance Can do without anyone. with hummility I shall miss you. 4. attention equal treatment(103) Will not be passed over. Wants a sense of importance and respect.
6. equality 2 care for humanity, refutes Elizas plea as commercialism Offers fellowship and to adopt her, but refuses to change. 7. kindness Eliza (104-05) Complains about the trouble he causes, not being noticed. Still wants a little kindness. -- (106) Thinks of Freddy as a solution. Be natural, be friendly.
9 (the life of the gutter vs. the life of a scientist and lady) recognition ad equality 3Amazed at Elizas improvement in the mind. Three old bachelors together. 8. Independence marry Freddy strike back Threatens to assist the Hungarian or to use the knowledge he teaches her.
"By George, Eliza, I said I'd make a woman of
you and I have"
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Summary Higgins and Elizas Differences

• turning points
• Act IV
• 1) After E throws slippers at his face, H gets to
  understand Elizas concern
• 2) H -- angered when Eliza separates her
  possession from his and returns him the ring
• Act V
• 1) H -- nervous upon finding her gone (still sees
  her as something from the mud
• 2) H offers equal manners offers good
  fellowship
• 4) E wants tenderness attention
• 5) E fights back marriage to Freddy her
  livelihood as a phonetics teacher or assistant to
  N.
• Higgins unwilling to marry, to change his (lack
  of) manners or his treatment of Eliza as a
  housekeeper.

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Higgins and Eliza Traces of Their Mutual
Affection

• (IV) never thought of her leaving angered
• Higgins nervousness (in a state) when finding
  Eliza gone.
• To Doolittle Have you found Eliza? (91)
• Gets angry at the thought of Dolittles getting
  her back (93)
• the moment he sees her Get up and come home
  and dont be a fool. (96)

• Elizas
• (103)I know you didknow she could leave, you
  brute. You wanted to get rid of me.
• Her pleas for kindness.(105)
• (109) As she is leaving Mrs. Higgins' house, she
  still offers advice disdainfully to Higgins'
  about his gloves, ties, cheese, and calls to
  remind Mrs. Pearce about the ham.

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Elizas and Higgins ambiguous expressions

• (103) LIZA. I dont care how you treat me. I dont
  mind your swearing at me. I dont mind a black
  eye Ive had one before this. But standing up
  and facing him I wont be passed over.
• HIGGINS Then get out of my way for I won't stop
  for you. You talk about me as if I were a motor
  bus.
• LIZA So you are a motor bus all bounce and go,
  and no consideration for anyone. But I can do
  without you Don't think I can't.
• HIGGINS I know you can. I told you you could.
• LIZA. You wanted to get rid of me.
• HIGGINS Liar
• LIZA. Thank you.
• HIGGINS. You never asked yourself, I suppose,
  whether I could do without you. She sits down
  with dignity.
• LIZA earnestly Don't you try to get round me.
  You'll HAVE to do without me.
• HIGGINS arrogant I can do without anybody

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Eliza beating about the bushes, or striving for
a kind of equality she cannot get from Higgins?

• HIGGINS Making life means making trouble.
• LIZA I'm no preacher I don't notice things like
  that. I notice that you don't notice me.
• HIGGINS jumping up and walking about
  intolerantly Eliza Youre an idiot. I waste the
  treasures of my Miltonic mind by spreading them
  before you. So you can come back or go to the
  devil Which you please.
• LIZA What am I to come back for?
• HIGGINS bouncing up on his knees on the ottoman
  and leaning over it to her For the fun of it.
  That's why I took you on.
• LIZA with averted face And you may throw me out
  tomorrow if I don't do everything you want me to?
• HIGGINS Yes and you may walk out tomorrow if I
  don't do everything YOU want me to.
• LIZA And live with my stepmother?
• HIGGINS Yes, or sell flowers.
• LIZA Oh! if I only COULD go back to my flower
  basket! ? Freddy
• LIZA much troubled I want a little kindness.

Equality?
That's just how I feel.
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Ambiguities in their Relationship (2)

• Higgins
• Cannot live without her shocked whenever E
  mentions separation and marriage does try to get
  her back.
• (103) Recognizes her values I cant turn your
  soul on. Leave me those feelings and you can
  take away the voice and the face. They are not
  you.
• Changes (from seeing her as a guttersnipe to an
  intellectual equal).
• Other signs the ring, his efforts on her and
  spreading his mind before her.

Pickering! Nonsense she's going to marry Freddy.
Ha ha! Freddy! Freddy!! Ha ha ha ha ha!! ! !! He
roars with laughter as the play ends. ...
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Are there chances for their getting married

• at the end of Act V?
• No, unless
• Higgins is willing to change himself and be
  loving, or
• Eliza is willing to stay unmarried and inferior
  to him.
• More to discuss after youve read the sequel.

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Summary

1. Elizas Education vs. Mr. Dolittles
   Transformation
2. The Themes of Pygmalion vs. Self-Made Woman
3. The use of coarse language as relapse or strategy
4. The battle of will between Higgins and Eliza

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• See you next time!!!

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Notes Rhetoric (ref. http//www.virtualsalt.com/
rhetoric.htm)

• Pickering this chap has a certain natural gift
  of rhetoric.  Observe the rhythm of his native
  woodnotes wild.  "I'm willing to tell you I'm
  wanting to tell you I'm waiting to tell you." 
  Sentimental rhetoric! 
• figurative language metaphor, personification
  oxymoron
• others repetition parallelism (Several parts
  of a sentence or several sentences are expressed
  similarly to show that the ideas in the parts or
  sentences are equal in importance.)
• reverse parallelism He labors without
  complaining and without bragging rests. (He
  labors without complaining and rests without
  bragging.)

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Notes Rhetoric (2)

• sententia (quoting a maxim or wise saying to
  apply a general truth to the situation
  concluding or summing foregoing material by
  offering a single, pithy statement of general
  wisdom)  e.g. But, of course, to understand all
  is to forgive all.
• Oxymoron Eliza deliciously low

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Reference

• Weintraub, Rodelle. Bernard Shaw's Henry
  Higgins a classic aspergen. English Literature
  in Transition 1880-1920, Fall 2006 v49 i4 p388-98)