“Pygmalion” explores Bernard Shaw’s idea

Pygmalion explores Bernard Shaws idea that people should non be special(a) by the societal class into which they were inwrought that they should own a accident to improve themselves by gaining an education. This is called the nature versus gentility debate, which marked a major switch over in Victorian England. Should we remain in the position we were born into (nature), as was the basic Victorian belief, or so-and-so we change our office establish equality among people regardless of age, gender and endure (nurture)?Education is the foundation of these aims and is presented in the play as a federal agency of self-improvement through teaching and training, whether it is academically or tenderly based. The characters slightly Eliza treat her with contempt. When Eliza convinces Mrs Eynsford Hill to buy flowers from her, her daughter, Clara tell aparts to her mother Make her give you the change. These things are only a penny a bunch Sixpence impel outdoor(a) (She ret reats in disgust). This shows the f number classes view those beneath them as worthless-the currency is non spent or given simply is thrown outdoors(a) as if it has been put in the dustbin.Clara does non address Eliza, but dialog as if she is not there, showing that Clara pauperizations to distance herself from Eliza. This indicates that the majority of the upper classes believed in nature everyone had a set place in society that could not be changed. It in any case shows that Clara is not as well educated as she would like to think she does not believe in self-improvement, and so does not understand the concept of education. Eliza however, believed in bettering her situation in life. I want to be a lady in a flower give away stead of sellin at the corner, proving that she was an ambitious character, and believed in fulfilling her potential.This demonstrates that Eliza believes in the nurture placement of the argument, and even though she has not received an outstandin g measuring of education, she is willing to be educated in order to change herself as a person. She is also ashamed of her current status. When she takes a taxi to her home, she tells the taxi-driver to go to Bucknam Pellis. When the driver questions her, she replies Of course I havnt none (any business there). But I wasnt going to let him cognise that. You drive me home Angel Court, Drury Lane, coterminous Meiklejohns oil shop. This reflects her proud personality-she doesnt want to look lower class in front of Freddie. It also highlights her situation in life as it contrasts her pauperisation to the richness of the royal family. It shows her escape of fellowship of companionable matters because she does not know anywhere else that is an affluent area, and so is unconvincing at being upper class.However, by the end of the play, she earthages to make everyone believe that she is a duchess, which proves that she has wise to(p) a great deal socially. We immediately assume that Higgins is rude, as a result of one of the first things he thinks. Oh, shut up, shut up. Do I look like a policeman? This is supposed to promise Eliza, but with his sarcasm and abrupt actors line, he does little to console her, implying that he has poor social skills. If he choose to improve these it would make him a better person he would rick more than(prenominal) compassionate towards others. Higgins boasts intimately his genius for improving mens statuses, when they have moved up the social ladder. Men begin in Kentish town with i80 a year, and end up in Park lane with 100 thousand. They want to drop Kentish Town, but give themselves away every time they open their mouths.Now I can teach them I can place any man within two miles of London. Sometimes within two streets. This shows that Higgins is a learned man. It also proves that there are different types of education there is a contrast between Higgins knowledge and Elizas. Higgins first sees Eliza as so delicious ly low, so horribly noisome I shall make a duchess of this draggletailed guttersnipe. He sees her as a challenge, and focuses on her appearance. He calls her names because the girl doesnt function to anybody-is no use to anybody but me.Higgins regards her as an object without an owner, which again highlights his wishing of inter-personal skills. Higgins lack of social education is contrasted against that of the Colonel. Pickering asks, Does it occur to you, Higgins, that the girl has some feelings? To which Higgins replies Oh no, I dont think so. Not any feelings that we need bother about. This indicates Higginss complete lack of respect towards Eliza, and that he only sees her as an experiment, not as a homo being. He regards well-educated people as his equal, so by teaching Eliza, he is fitting to change his opinion of her.Again, this reflects the nurture side of the nature versus nurture debate by educating people, we can overcome our prejudices and win equality. Elizas first reaction towards Higgins is totally the opposite of Higginss reaction. She acts (quite overwhelmed, looking up at him in mingled wonder and deprecation without daring to raise her head. ) This is partly because of his talent at placing accents, and also due to the respect she has for his standing in society. The deviance in their reactions reflects Higgins and Elizas characters.We can see that as Elizas social skills are more acceptable, (even though her academic and social standing is below Higgins) she draws a more favourable conclusion. It shows that she has a better social awareness than Higgins, so she is able to educate him, which again, encourages equality. The first learning point for Eliza occurred at Higginss house, where she learned elements of social ritual. Firstly, Mrs. Pearce shows her the bathroom, where Eliza has to get accustomed to the differences in standards of hygiene of the higher classes.She is not apply to having a bath. You expect me to wet myself a ll over? she exclaims, when Mrs. Pearce shows her the bathroom. Its not natural it would kill me. Ive never had a bath in my life This demonstrates how dirty she is, and how unaccustomed Eliza is with soap and water hygiene is a major candidate that Eliza learns while staying at Higginss house. However, her attitude dramatically changes, and she even says, washing is a treat, showing how rapidly education can change ones opinions.Mrs Pearce is take aback by Elizas nightly habits do you mean to say that you sleep in the under habit you wear in the daytime? This again highlights the difference between the classes. Higgins fine furnishings contrast starkly with her cramped living conditions on Drury Lane. I couldnt sleep here, Eliza tells him. Its too good for the likes of me. She is still used to being regarded as below everyone else, and having inadequate living standards. By being taught the social rituals of a different class in society, Eliza can become an equal to Higgins an d Pickering.By having Eliza in the house, Higgins also learns to control his behaviour. Mrs Pearce asks him not to come down to breakfast in his dressing gown or use it as a napkin because this is unacceptable, and he is supposed to be setting an example to Eliza. This shows that no matter what their social standing, everyone can improve their education, even though it may be arduous. When Eliza has her first speaking lesson, she realises that it is not going to be as easy as she originally thought I cant hear no difference cep that it sounds more genteel-like when you say it she moans.However, the knowledge that she has already gained from Higgins encourages her to continue because she can see that education will improve her life and the way she lives it. By changing Elizas appearance, Higgins and Pickering begin to make her acceptable in higher-class society. (Eliza, who is exquisitely dressed, produces an result of such remarkable distinction and beauty as she enters that they all rise). still though she looks presentable, Eliza is unaccustomed to the etiquette and behaviour of the upper classes, as Higgins tells her to keep to two subjects of conversation.This is because she is unreserved in her speech. When she attends Mrs. Higginss at-home day she talks about her sottish father and swears, both of which is inappropriate behaviour. She talks of the death of her aunt, What become of her unused straw hat that should have come to me? Somebody pinched it and what I say is, them as pinched it done her in. Here, her grammar is poor and she uses slang. This is unacceptable to the company she is with. Higgins learns that this is the key area he needs to work on, as she gives herself away with every sentence she utters.It proves that education goes deeper than appearances Eliza has to change from the inside. Eliza did change internally when she had to learn new skills. Without them, the material possessions such as jewellery and clothes would have been futi le. She learns to speak more eloquently, she first spoke with a cockney accent, and ended up having the hostess at an Embassy in London say that she speaks English perfectly. In fact, they say that she is not English, Only foreigners, who have been taught to speak it, speak it so well.This concludes that is possible to alter ones social standing through education, and that both social and academic knowledge is arbitrary to make this transition. The transformation of Eliza affects her whole outlook on life. Eliza does not really realise it until the end of the character shift, when she is unsure of where she is headed. Oh If only I could go back to my flower basket Why did you take my independence away from me? Higgins tells her Why, six months ago you would have thought it the millennium to have a flower shop of your own.However, now that she is more aware of the world, she becomes more ambitious. Her education has allowed her to see herself and analyse her life Ill advertise it in the paper that your duchess is only a flower girl that you taught, and that shell teach anybody to be duchess just the same in six months for a thousand guineas. This demonstrates her confidence and also her increased academic knowledge she feels able to teach people. Even Higgins notices the change within her. You were like a millstone around my neck. Now youre a tower of strength. He is proud of her achievements.This is a radical change from the tooth root of the play, when he was constantly insulting her. He even admits that he has learnt something from (her) absurd notions I confess that humbly and gratefully, showing that he has become more open minded to other peoples ideas. The characters have changed on the outside and from within. It is only by having a greater awareness of the world that Eliza could say When a child is brought to a foreign country, it picks up the language and forgets its own. Well, I am a child in your country.I have disregarded my own language a nd can speak nothing but yours. This shows her knowledge of culture and behaviour, as well as using appropriate language and a total change on her part, which she benefits from. She has undergone a dramatic self-improvement. Higgins has not changed so radically, but has learned the great secret. (It) is not having bad politeness or good manners or having any other specific kind of manners, but having the same kind of manner for all human souls. He has finally learned to treat Eliza as an equal, which is a precious lesson learnt from her. Both Higgins and Eliza have been nurtured, to become better people, by having a greater academic and social understanding.