PYGMALION

PYGMALION BOTH DELIGHTED AND SCANDALIZED ITS FIRST AUDIENCES IN 1914. A BRILLIANTLY WITTY REWORKING OF THE CLASSICAL TALE OF THE SCULPTOR PYGMALION, WHO FALLS IN LOVE WITH HIS PERFECT FEMALE STATUE, IT IS ALSO A BARBED ATTACK ON THE BRITISH CLASS SYSTEM AND A STATEMENT OF SHAW'S FEMINIST VIEWS. IN SHAW'S HANDS, THE PHONETICIST HENRY HIGGINS IS THE PYGMALION FIGURE WHO BELIEVES HE CAN TRANSFORM ELIZA DOOLITTLE, A COCKNEY FLOWER GIRL, INTO A DUCHESS AT EASE IN POLITE SOCIETY. THE ONE THING HE OVERLOOKS IS THAT HIS 'CREATION' HAS A MIND OF HER OWN.