Themes: Social Class and Accent
Although all countries have social classes and divisions between rich and poor, England is unusual in the degree to which accent and vocabulary are correlated with class. Bernard Shaw points out in the preface that
It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him.
Higgins is a professor of phonetics and conducts serious scientific research, but he makes his money by using his knowledge of phonetics to help people whose origins lie in the lower classes to pretend that they are part of the upper class. No matter how much money they have or how much they achieve, they will never be accepted in aristocratic or even middle-class society unless they have the right sort of accent.
Although this linguistic phenomenon was well-established by 1913, it was actually of comparatively recent origin, as Shaw was well aware. By the middle of the nineteenth century, it had become established practice for rich families to send their sons to public schools (which were called “public” because they were famous, not because they were open to the general public). Higgins immediately recognizes that Colonel Pickering attended Harrow, one of the best-known of these schools. At these public schools, the pupils all learned to speak in the same way, giving rise to a single “received pronunciation,” which had not existed before. In 1750, an aristocrat from Yorkshire would have spoken approximately the same sort of English as the men who worked on his estate. By 1850, he would have barely been able to understand their dialect.
Shaw had lived in England for a long time when he wrote Pygmalion, but he remained an observer and an outsider. In the play, he is constantly commenting on the extreme importance of accent in English social life. For Higgins, correct and articulate speech is so central to identity that he imagines (quite wrongly) that he can remake Eliza into a completely different person simply by changing the way she speaks. It is Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Higgins who teach Eliza what it really means to be a lady, and they begin by treating her like one, which Higgins never does. They demonstrate to Eliza and to the audience the fallacy of Higgins’s view that accent is synonymous with class. In this respect, Higgins is guilty of the same mistake as the social snobs he describes with such scorn at the beginning of act 4.
Expert Q&A
How do Eliza Doolittle's transformations in Pygmalion affect others' perceptions and behavior towards her?
Eliza Doolittle's transformations from a poor flower girl to a refined lady significantly alter how others perceive and treat her. Initially scorned for her low status and Cockney accent, her new appearance, manners, and speech earn her admiration and acceptance in higher social circles. More importantly, Eliza gains self-worth and confidence, ultimately challenging Henry Higgins's snobbery and asserting her independence.
How does Pygmalion address speech and phonetics?
Pygmalion explores speech and phonetics through the characters of Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering, linguistics experts who transform Eliza Doolittle, a flower seller, into a lady by altering her speech. The play highlights how accents serve as class markers in Britain, revealing socioeconomic backgrounds. As Eliza masters refined speech and manners, her identity evolves, illustrating Shaw's view that language shapes thought and identity, making it impossible for her to revert to her former self.
In Pygmalion, how does Higgins view himself and differ from middle-class individuals?
Higgins sees himself as superior and confident, often displaying arrogance and disregard for societal norms. Unlike the middle class, he is unconcerned with propriety, tact, or reserve, expressing himself bluntly without consideration for others' feelings. This contrasts with the Victorian emphasis on social etiquette. His mother's admonishment highlights his refusal to conform, which ultimately leads to Eliza's rejection, as she desires a conventional, socially acceptable life.
In Pygmalion, what does Alfred Doolittle mean when he says he "cannot afford morals" and that "middle class morality is just an excuse"?
Alfred Doolittle claims he "cannot afford morals" because his poverty forces him to exploit opportunities, unlike the wealthy, who can afford ethical behavior without financial desperation. He criticizes "middle-class morality" as a hypocritical concept that justifies ignoring the "undeserving poor" like him, who need more aid due to their lifestyle. Doolittle argues that this morality excuses charities from helping people like him, favoring those who fit societal moral standards.
In Pygmalion, does Eliza's transformation occur due to her language change?
What are the social implications of English speech modes in Shaw's Pygmalion?
The social implications of the different modes of English speech in Shaw's Pygmalion are that accent makes all the difference in what class one is assigned. Being middle or upper-class has little to do with innate superiority and everything to do with such superficialities as accent and dress.
Why does Shaw use labels instead of names for characters in Pygmalion, and what are their social classes?
The main characters are The Gentleman, The Note Taker and The Flower Girl.
Shaw uses labels instead of names to emphasize the social roles and class distinctions of the characters, highlighting their societal positions and the transformations they undergo. The Gentleman and The Note Taker are upper class, while The Flower Girl is lower class. This labeling underscores the play's theme of social mobility and identity, making the characters' development more striking as they transcend their initial societal roles.
What does Eliza mean in Pygmalion when she says learning to speak properly was like "learning to dance in the fashionable way"?
Eliza's comparison of learning proper speech to "learning to dance in the fashionable way" highlights how superficial changes, like speech or dance, do not alter one's intrinsic identity. Through her education, she realizes that true transformation is about how individuals treat each other, not just external manners. Shaw uses this to critique the aristocracy, suggesting that anyone can mimic aristocratic traits, but genuine respect and class come from within.
What distinguishes upper and lower class spoken English in Pygmalion?
Upper and lower class spoken English in "Pygmalion" is distinguished primarily by pronunciation and clarity. The upper class uses "standard English" or "received pronunciation," which closely aligns with written English. In contrast, lower class accents, like Eliza Doolittle's Lisson Grove dialect, display distinct vowel variations and consonant differences, such as dropped "h" sounds and altered vowel pronunciations. The multiplicity of working-class accents contrasts with the uniformity of upper-class speech.
How important is Pickering in Pygmalion? Does he disprove Higgins' theory about class distinctions?
Colonel Pickering plays a crucial role in "Pygmalion" by demonstrating respect and kindness to Eliza Doolittle, which contrasts with Professor Higgins' dismissive treatment. This respect helps Eliza gain self-respect and highlights the possibility of class mobility through behavior rather than birth. While Pickering's presence serves as a narrative foil to Higgins, challenging his theories on class distinctions, his role is more of a narrative device than a driver of action, similar to Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes.
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