Pygmalion : Act V & the Postscript

Pygmalion: Act V & the Postscript Two Kinds of Transformation And More …

Outline • Act V • Two Transformations • Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman • Eliza’s Relapses: Class Issues • Higgins and Eliza’s Battle of Will • Postscript & Conclusion • Romance, Eliza’s decision & Higgins’ • Consequences: Eliza’s and Freddy’s marriage and families, their residence and livelihood, their ‘education.’ • Clara • Summary Next Week

Housekeeping First • 1) 11/19 12:30-1:30 technical meeting: Stage Managers, costumes/cosmetics, Props, Lighting and Sound crews to go get the training or be familiar with the place. • 2) Cast: • 3) 12/10 (Thurs) 9:00 – 12:00/12:30. Hegel (all but costumes) • 4) 12/16 (Wed) 1:00 - 3:30 dress rehearsal (sandwiches prepared) • 5) 12/17 (Thurs) 8:00 - 12:30 (the theatre will be open for you at 8:00)(dumplings and potstickers as lunch)

Cast & Crew • Be quiet, walk and speak softly unless it is your time to perform. • Handle the props carefully; fine will be imposed should they be damaged • 12/17 -- One person at least from each small group to help clean the place

ACT V-1 TWO KINDS OF TRANSFORMATION

11/19 Class Discussion Questions On Act V & Postscript; Post your group responses before class Group A . 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 B Eliza’s transformation: In what ways do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering and Mrs. Higgins help Eliza get a better life? • What does she achieve by herself?

11/19 Class Discussion Questions On Act V & Postscript; Post your group responses before class Group C. “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 D. [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?

11/19 Class Discussion Questions On Act V & Postscript; Post your group responses before class Group E 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 F 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 Eliza’s staying with Higgins as a soul mate? -- Why does it also introduce the changes of Clara?

A. 1) 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) 1. TWO TRANSFORMATIONS

Higgins’ Role in Mr. Doolittle’s Changes the most original moralist at present in England (“a silly joke”) Wannafeller “Dustman! Oh no, sir: a gentleman.” “Ruined me. Destroyed my happiness. Tied me up and delivered me into the hands of middle class morality” (91) “you, Enry Iggins”(90).

Mr. Doolittle’s Changes • His changes (pp. 89-93):tied to middleclass morality and intimidated. • [money] regular pension of 3000 a year on the condition of giving up to 6 speeches a year for the Moral Reform World League.  to have to perform what he preaches • [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”擺脫) 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. That’s where you’ll come in; and I daresay that’s what you done it for.' ” • [marriage] Has to get married. (100)

Mr. Doolittle’s Changes (2): Related Issues A. “Creator”Henry Higgins’ is not careful about the changes he may bring to others; B. Mr. Doolittle’s Education? Not really. 1. No choice:given the choicebetween “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” (老年貧民收容所) 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?

Father Daughter • Through a “silly joke” of Higgins • Gain 3000 pounds a year. • self-motivated + H & P’s bet • goes for education (accent, manners and mind—more later). • 'Enry Iggins‘90,95 • With a lot of money, tied to middleclass morality; sought after; refuses to take care of his daughter. • intimidated and cannot choose.‘ • [sequel] extremely popular in the smartest society‘—upper class • “Aa-ooo” when seeing her father. (99) 'Enry Iggins‘ (108) • Has no money. • Improved her accent, language, culture & mind; • Needs respect and tenderess • [sequel] chooses to work and be independent.—middle class & “feminist” Mr. Doolittle vs. Eliza—both “dis-classed”

B. In what ways do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering and Mrs. Higgins help Eliza get a better life? What does she achieve by herself? Act V-2. Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman From Romance to Social Realism Whether as Pygmalion story or that of “self-made woman,” Eliza’s story cannot be a complete success

Creators or Helpers? • Higgins: creator who is careless about the other consequences of his “creatures” (Mr. Doolittle and Eliza) Act IV: HIGGINS [looking at her in cool wonder] The creature IS nervous, after all. LIZA [gives a suffocated scream of fury, and instinctively darts her nails at his face]!! [after throwing the ring at the fireplace] HIGGINS. Hit you! You infamous creature, how dare you accuse me of such a thing? Act V: [before Eliza appears] Pickering, Let us put on our best Sunday manners for this creature that we picked out of the mud. (95) Higgins: I tell you I have created this thing out of the squashed cabbage leaves of Covent Garden; and now she pretends to play the fine lady with me. (97)

Creators or Helpers?

Eliza’s Self-Transformation [after the romance: miraculous transformation] • Asserting herself (since Act 4; esp. 96-99) • 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. (122-23) (bookkeeping, shorthand & Calligraphy, typing, economics)  the London School + Kew Gardens “there own way was the best”

“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) C. Class Issues

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 – One’s 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.

Eliza’s Relapse? A. Eliza • When seeing her father: a natural response, which shows that one cannot forget one’s mother tongue completely. • (p. 108) “Enry Iggins” – used consciously as a means of getting even or fighting back. (compared with her grammar correction on pp. 105, 106) • Mr. Doolittle: • The father: “Enry Iggins” (90, 95) -- just a sign of anger.

D. [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? E. [Ending] What do you think about the ending of Act V? Would you be happy with it as the play’s ending (without the sequel)? D. Higgins and Eliza’s Battle of Will

First Battle in Act II

2nd Battle in Act IV

Their Battle of Wills in Act V "By George, Eliza, I said I'd make a woman of you; and I have"

Summary: Higgins and Eliza’s Differences • turning points • Act IV: • 1) After E throws slippers at his face, H gets to understand Eliza’s 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.

(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 Dolittle’s getting her back (93) [the moment he sees her]: “Get up and come home; and dont be a fool. ” (96) Eliza’s – (103)“I know you did[know 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. Higgins and Eliza: Traces of Their Mutual Affection

Eliza’s and Higgins’ ambiguous expressions(1) the same to all: 103-104 (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…I shall miss you, Eliza (103)

Eliza: beating about the bushes, or striving for equality? (2) fellowship:104-106 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: You‘re 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. (106-107) Equality? H: That's just how I feel.

Higgins’ Changes

Ambiguities in their Relationship (2) • Higgins –theoretical, professional, but • 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. • The last two remarks (109-10) 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]. ...

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. See Notes (1)

Summary Eliza’s Education vs. Mr. Dolittle’s Transformation The Themes of Pygmalion vs. Self-Made Woman Class Relations & Language: The use of coarse language as relapse or strategy (Small talk as a sign of trendiness; correct English as a sign of foreignness) 4. The battle of will between Higgins and Eliza

Task for All 1. Comment on a Saying (next slide) 2. SM & Crew: What did you do last week? -- Write on the board. 3. Suggestions for the performing group you observe

Do you agree? Discuss it in the context of the play, and as a saying • Women: I find that the moment I let a woman make friends with me, she becomes jealous, exacting, suspicious, and a damned nuisance. I find that the moment I let myself make friends with a woman, I become selfish and tyrannical. Women upset everything. • Manners: 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) • Manners: “[People’s saying] [w]hat 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 • Life: “If you cant appreciate what you’ve got, youd better get what you can appreciate.” (Act 5) – sententia (使用警句,格言 see Notes) • Weak vs. Strong: Accordingly, it is a truth everywhere in evidence that strong people, masculine or feminine, not only do not marry stronger people, but do not show any preference for them in selecting their friends. (Sequel p. 114)

Pygmalion the Sequel and Conclusion

11/28 Class Discussion Questions Group F 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 Eliza’s staying with Higgins as a soul mate? -- Why does it also introduce the changes of Clara?

The Sequel Romance, Eliza’s decision & Higgins’ Consequences: Eliza’s and Freddy’s marriage and families, their residence and livelihood, their ‘education.’ Clara  Do you agree with Shaw?

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. Eliza’s 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 Freddy’s marriage and their shop.

1-2. Factors in Eliza’s Decisionto Leave Higgins • Eliza’s 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) “Oedipus Complex” according to Freud • 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)

1-2. Factors in Eliza’s Choice of Freddy 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 Eliza’s or with Shaw’s reasons?

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."

1-2. Factors in Eliza’s Decision Kate’s personal views: Agree-- “strength” not the most important factor 1. There is a lot to consider in choosing one’s spouse. (Besides love, personality, career, class, family, pattern of relationship, sexual attraction, money, one’s 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. • “Strong vs. Weak” as binary opposition: Why are there just these two choices for Eliza? Couldn’t 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 Eliza’s secret affection for Higgins (124), but not the other way around?

Higgins’ “Secret” Affection • For his mother? (Oedipal attachment to his mother) • For Pickering? • There is no absolute difference between homosexuality and homosociality at the time when sex was a taboo and homosexuality, a crime.

The Other Social Factors Still the Same? • Class: grouping becomes less visible, and the boundaries, more fluid • Language: not necessarily a class marker • Professional Skills: should be useful

2. Consequences • Money: • Freddy – no money, no job. • Doolittle – not willing to offer support. • Honeymoon would have been penniless without P’s 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, but decides against it • Occupation • Opens a flower shop with the support of Pickering. (117) • Finally earning money. • Education(122) (to write, shorthands and polytechnic (工藝) class • Not really helpful.

Eliza’s Relation with Higgins after her marriage • Still meddles with Wimpole Street’s housekeeping; 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.

3. Clara • 1. a “pusher” who pushes the air in the wrong direction, not welcome by the class she wants to join goes to join the artist group • 2. changed under the influence of Eliza’s transformation, H. G. Wells and the novelist Galsworthy to realize the vanity and unimportance of her class; • 3. works at a furniture store.

4. Conclusion • Pygmalion & Romance • Comedy of Manners -- Language and the Other Social Markers//Appearance vs. Reality • Manners: Pronunciation, Handwriting, Dress, manners, interest, • Marriage and Family • Morality – Class-bound? Prudery made fun of. • Class Differences & Social Mobility • The ways upper class is presented – useless or fashionable • The background Shaw offers (in Act I and the Sequel) –of social climbing • Eliza’s, Doolittle’s and Clara’s different kinds of changes • Scientific Creation, Education & Human Concern • Professionalism (with Ideals) Higgins vs. Nepommuck • The Roles of Money • Lady as Self-Made, or result of others’ Respect

Conclusion (2) 5. Other Possible Readings: (For your reference ONLY) -- Higgins as one suffering from Asperger’s 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 Eliza’s feelings Act II; • of his rude social behavior, lack of manners Acts I & III • of his exclusive interest in languages and accents

Notes: Between Scylla and Charybdis • In a position where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger. Image source/

Pygmalion : Act V & the Postscript