Pygmalion: Act V

1
Pygmalion Act V the Postscript

• Two Kinds of Transformation
• And More

2
Outline

• Act V
• Two Transformations
• Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman
• Elizas Relapses Class Issues
• Higgins and Elizas Battle of Will
• Postscript Conclusion
• Romance, Elizas decision Higgins
• Consequences Elizas and Freddys marriage and
  families, their residence and livelihood, their
  education.
• Clara
• Summary

Next Week
3
Housekeeping First

• 1) 11/27 500 pm costume and prop requests
• 2) 11/28 noon -- the tech. negotiation meeting.
• 3) 11/28 500 pm final version of your scripts,
  actor lists and job lists
• 4) next Monday 12/1 1215 - 130 Learning how to
  use the control rooms (lighting and sound)
  Andrew will take attendance at 1215.
• 5) costumes and props --12/3 1230 130 trying
  out what you choose
• 6) 12/10 -- rehearsal 1200 - 345 (sandwiches
  prepared) I need one group volunteering to be the
  last.
• 6) 12/12 -- actual performance (the theatre will
  be open for you at 800)(dumplings and
  potstickers as lunch)

4
Performances Today 1100 1200
SM Crew What did you do last week? -- Write
on the board.
1100 1110 Group 1 2
1110 1120 Group 3 4
1120 1130 Group 5 6
1130 1140 Group 7 8
1140 1150 Group 9 10
1150 1200 Group 11 12
5
Act V-1 Two Kinds of Transformation
6
11/28 Class Discussion Questions
On Act V Postscript Post your group responses
before class

• Group 5 6 . 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)
• Group 3 4 Elizas transformation In what ways
  do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering and Mrs.
  Higgins help Eliza get a better life?
• What does she achieve by herself?

7
11/28 Class Discussion Questions
On Act V Postscript Post your group responses
before class

• Group 11 12. 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)
• Group 9 10. Battle of Will What do they each
  insist on and see as goals of their lives in Act
  5? 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?

8
Starting Questions (1)

• Group 5 6 One of the 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)
• Group 3 4 Elizas -- 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?

9
Starting Questions (1)

• 3. Group 11 12 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)?

10
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)

11
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).
12
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)

13
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?

14
Mr. Doolittle vs. Elizaboth dis-classed
15
Act V-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
16
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.
17
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.

18
V-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)

19
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.

20
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.

21
V-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)?

22
First Battle in Act II
23
2nd Battle in Act IV
24
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 humility 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"
25
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.

26
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.

27
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

28
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.
29
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. ...
30
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.

31

Summary

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

32
Pygmalion

• the Sequel and
• Conclusion

33
11/28 Class Discussion Questions
On Act V Postscript Post your group responses
before class

• Group 1 2 The Ending -- What do you think
  about the ending of Act 5? Is it possible for
  Eliza and Higgins to get married?
• Compare this ending with the endings
• -- suggested by the Postscript
• -- of the film versions of Pygmalion (1938 and
  1973 BBC version) and My Fair Lady?
• Group 7 8 In what ways does the Sequel revise
  Pygmalion as a romance? Or deny that it is a
  romance? -- What are the reasons added here
  against Elizas staying with Higgins as a soul
  mate?
• -- Why  does it also introduce the changes of
  Clara? 

34
The Sequel

• Romance, Elizas decision Higgins
• Consequences Elizas and Freddys marriage and
  families, their residence and livelihood, their
  education.
• Clara
• ? Do you agree with Shaw?

35
1-1. Conventions of Romance Denied

• 1. Our imaginations have been enfeebled by their
  dependence on the ready-mades and reach-me-downs
  (made for nobody in particular) of the ragshop in
  which Romance keeps its stock of "happy endings"
  to misfit all stories.
• 2. Elizas transformation Not an uncommon story.
• 3. Does the hero have to marry the heroine? (Do
  the married couple live happily ever after?)
• 4. Eliza and Freddys marriage and their shop.

36
1-2. Factors in Elizas Decision

• Elizas Status
• (111) Her decision depends on whether she is
  really free to choose. She is, since she is
  young and pretty.
• Eliza's instinct tells her not to marry Higgins.
  It does not tell her to give him up. What does
  this mean?
• Higgins
• His love of his Mother
• Typical of an imaginative boy with an
  intelligent and graceful mother. (112)
• Leads to a disengagement of his affections, his
  sense of beauty, and his idealism from his
  specifically sexual impulses
• b. His interest in Milton and the Universal
  Alphabet (113)

37
1-2. Factors in Elizas Decision

• 2. Higgins 113
• her resentment of Higgins's domineering
  superiority,
• her mistrust of his coaxing cleverness in getting
  round her and evading her wrath when he had gone
  too far with his impetuous bullying.
• (113) Eliza and Freddy
• He is a gentleman
• He is weak, thus attracted to Eliza as a strong
  woman.
• (conclusion 115 Will she look forward to a
  lifetime of fetching Higgins's slippers or to a
  lifetime of Freddy fetching hers? Unless
  Freddy is biologically repulsive to her . . .)
  
• Do you agree with Elizas or with Shaws
  reasons?

38
Do you want to marry one that is weaker than you,
or stronger? (ref. p. 114)

• When a lion meets another with a louder roar "the
  first lion thinks the last a bore." The man or
  woman who feels strong enough for two, seeks for
  every other quality in a partner than strength.
• weak people want to marry strong people who do
  not frighten them too much and this often leads
  them to make the mistake we describe
  metaphorically as "biting off more than they can
  chew."

39
1-2. Factors in Elizas Decision

• Kates personal views
• Agree-- strength not the most important factor
• 1. There is a lot to consider in choosing ones
  spouse. (Besides love, pattern of relationship,
  status, sexual attraction, money, ones age and
  the choices available.)
• 2. Eliza should not stay with one who is
  domineering and refusing to change.
• Disagree
• Does the strong one really want to marry a weak
  one? Or maybe there is attraction of two who are
  congenial to but different from each other.
• Why are there just these two choices for Eliza?
  Couldnt she work and wait a bit? (But at that
  time staying single may not be a choice for
  her.)
• Why is there only description of Elizas secret
  affection for Higgins (124), but not the other
  way around?

40
Higgins Secret Affection

• For his mother? (Oedipal attachment to his
  mother)
• For Pickering?
• There is no absolute difference between
  homosexuality and homosociality esp. at a time
  when sex was a taboo.

41
2. Consequences

• Money
• Freddy no money, no job.
• Doolittle not willing to offer support.
• Honeymoon would have been penniless without Ps
  support
• Uses the gift of 500 pounds for a long time
  keeps getting supported by the two bachelors
• Residence
• Considers living with the two bachelors
• Occupation
• Opens a flower shop with the support of
  Pickering. (117)
• Finally earning money.
• Education (122) (to write, shorthands and
  polytechnic (??) class
• Not really helpful.

42
Elizas Relation with Higgins after her marriage

• Still lives in Wimpole Street still nagging
• Still jealous of other women
• Cannot become a professional phonetician (no
  right to meddle with his knowledge.
• her secret wish to be alone on a "desert island"
  with Higgins to seduce him.

43
3. Clara

• 1. changed under the influence of Elizas
  transformation, H. G. Wells and the novelist
  Galsworthy to realize the vanity and unimportance
  of her class
• 2. works at a furniture store.

44
4. Conclusion

1. Pygmalion Romance
2. Comedy of Manners -- Language and the Other
   Social Markers//Appearance vs. Reality
3. Manners Pronunciation, Handwriting, Dress,
   manners, interest,
4. Marriage and Family
5. Morality Class-bound? Prudery made fun of.
6. Class Differences Social Mobility
7. The ways upper class is presented useless or
   fashionable
8. The background Shaw offers (in Act I and the
   Sequel) of social climbing
9. Elizas, Doolittles and Claras different kinds
   of changes
10. Scientific Creation, Education Human Concern
11. Professionalism (with Ideals) Higgins vs.
    Nepommuck
12. The Roles of Money
13. Respect for others

45
Conclusion (2)

• 5. Other Possible Readings (For your reference
  ONLY)
• -- Higgins as one suffering from Aspergers
  syndrome (a kind of autism) (Weintraub)
• --Aspergen has difficulties in social
  interaction, lacks empathy, or has difficulties
  with it, has trouble with social role-taking and
  has unusual responses to the environment similar
  to those in autism. --can achieve success in
  some specialized academic subjects. E.g.
  computer programmers, dentists, scientists.
• -- examples
• of Higgins insensitivity to Elizas feelings Act
  II
• of his rude social behavior, lack of manners
  Acts I III
• of his exclusive interest in languages and
  accents

46
Do you agree?

• Class
• -- Eliza The difference between a lady and a
  flower girl is not how she behaves, but how's
  she's treated.
• -- Higgins The great secret, Eliza, is not
  having bad manners or good manners or any other
  particular sort of manners, but having the same
  manner for all human souls in short, behaving as
  if you were in Heaven, where there are no
  third-class carriages, and one soul is as good as
  another. (1236) --generalization
• Manners
• -- Peoples saying what they think they
  ought to think is bad enough, Lord knows but
  what they really think would break up the whole
  show. . . . We are all savages . . . (Act 3)
• Life
• -- What is life but a series of inspired
  follies? (Act 2) rhetorical questions
• -- If you cant appreciate what youve got, youd
  better get what you can appreciate. (Act 5)
  sententia (????,??see Notes)

47
Notes Act V Rhetoric (ref. http//www.virtualsa
lt.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.)

48
Notes Act V 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

49
Notes Sequel

• H. G. Wells (who influences Clara) a socialist
  and Utopia novelist (work The Time Machine)
• Passionate concern for society led Wells to join
  the socialist Fabian Society in London, but he
  soon quarreled with the society's leaders, among
  them George Bernard Shaw.
• Kew Gardens (p. 122 Combination of London School
  and Kew Gardens) -- the Royal Botanic Gardens
• Nell Gwynne (1650-1687)-- who originally sold
  oranges in the precincts of the Drury Lane
  Theatre
• -- became an actress at the age of only fifteen
• -- became the mistress of King Charles II,
• from 1670 until his death, and
• thus popular to the public.

50

Good Luck for your Play Contest
Performances!!!

51
Next Week

• Poetry I Lyric and Tone 
• Reading and Paraphrase
• Group 1-2 W. Carlos Williams This is just to
  say (p. 797) Group 3-4 Chasin, Helen The Word
  Plum (p. 828)Group 5-6 Brooks, Gwendolyn We
  Real Cool (p 720)Group 7-8 Hayden, Robert
  Those Winter Sundays (p 783) Group 9-10
  Frost, Robert Stopping by Woods
  (p1091) Group 11-12 Dickinson, Emily Im
  Nobody! Who Are You?

52
Your Choices

• Group 5 6 Act 1
• Group 1112 Act 2
• Group 3 4 Act 3
• Group 9 10 Act 3 (At-Home Party)
• Group 7 8 Act 4
• Group 1 2 Act 5

53
Mini Play Contest Tentative Schedule
Play Group
10?31? General Introd Job Division
11?7? Act I and Act II. (pp. 11-37) Character Analysis Theme
11?14? Act II III (pp. 38-71) Line Reading Creative Adaptation (script 1st draft ready)
11?21? Act III-IV (pp. 71-87 Act V) Performance Set and Prop
11?28? Act V and Postscript Theme and Overall Presentation
12?5? Mini Play PreparationPoetry I Lyric and Tone Rehearsal 12/10 (1215-330)
12?12? Performance Day
54

See you next time!!!
55
Reference

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