Gender Acts 1-2 Submissive nature of women,

man dominates society,

women is belonging of her
husband or family. Woman’s
goal was to marry well –
achieved through her beauty
and purity. Men were
expected to be strong and
hard working.
Acts 3-5 Acceptable behaviour,
restrictions, expectations and
differences between men and
women
Eliza changes from a
submissive role to expressing
her indignation in Act 5 –
autonomy. Close in you cat,
Eliza’s perceived savagery.
Social Status Acts 1-2 “She is not at all a romantic
figure”- undesirable,
distinctions between classes,
unwanted. Easily distinguished
based on appearance. Boots
symbol for class, materialism
of people. “what is middle
class morality?” class affects
beliefs, social status defined
morality.
Acts 3-5 Appearance vs reality,
Eynsford try to disguise their
identity. Paradox of class,
although Eliza is portrayed as
rich, she isn’t able to sustain
herself, without having the
help of other. Superficial
nature of social classes. Middle
class morality, Alfred Doolittle
is unhappy despite new found
wealth. Eliza becomes
independent. She accepted as
another persona not herself.
Etiquette and Manners Acts 1-2 Distinguish between the social
classes. Eliza defends herself
and has high sensitivity which
shows her lower class due to
bad manners and etiquette.
Higgins is hypocritical, later
reflection on his own
behaviour. Social barriers can
be overcome with education.
 Acts 3-5 Higgins disregard for manners
and etiquette between other
people. Etiquette restricts
individual opinion and
thought. Only valued in social
context. Irony in behaviours of
different classes to show
superficiality of manner and
etiquette.
Marriage/Relationships Acts 1-2 Maintain and improve social
standing, increase fortune.
Differing gender roles within
marriage. Middle and working
class – personal choice, love.
The irony is that even though
upper class have more wealth,
they have less autonomy.
Struggles between emotional
fulfilment and financial
stability.
Acts 3-5 Marriage for stability, father
and mother did not support
each other emotionally.
Higgins is very casual about
marriage. Giving up freedom
from both sides. When
marries, sacrificing autonomy,
but Eliza retains her freedom
and values it. Repetition of
sell. Sheets and sheets, Shaw’s
portrayal of a successful
marriage, mutual
understanding and
independence, affection.
Education/Language/Phonetics Acts 1-2 -
Acts 3-5 Shaw critical of social
conventions of the time.
Upper class civilised and
knowledgeable. Education as a
solution to these problems.
What she pronounces: even
Higgins recognises. “We’re all
savages…”. Education as an
answer to inability to fulfil
social expectations. Critiques
people’s attitudes towards
leaning. “Do you know what
began my real education…”
Independence and Autonomy Acts 1-2 Self-awareness of social class
and status. Attempts to
maintain her independence
 and social values. Lack of
regard to autonomy of lower
class. The effect of classes on
autonomy and independence.
“Happy is the man…”
Acts 3-5 Eliza gain of independence
while Doolittle loses his
independence. Eliza goes
above Higgins, show her
autonomy. Higgins and Eliza
parallel desires for autonomy.
Pickering counter balance and
provides Eliza wit autonomy.

Transformation of Eliza, Higgins, Alfred Doolittle

Higgins doesn’t change

Eliza is able to gain autonomy and think critically

Alfred Doolittle undergoes a negative transformation  he is not satisfied with his new found
wealth

Didactic text, we are able to learn something from Shaw’s Pygmalion.