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G. B. Shaw (1856-1950). Characteristics of his plays. 1. Ibsen’s influence in making his plays a vehicle for ideas (problem play), in which various social problems are discussed ; 2. an Irish capacity for jest and a verbal wit equal to that of Congreve or Wilde;
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Characteristics of his plays • 1. Ibsen’s influence in making his plays a vehicle for ideas (problem play), in which various social problems are discussed ; • 2. an Irish capacity for jest and a verbal wit equal to that of Congreve or Wilde; • 3. a combination of wide social enthusiasms with a gift for
Characteristics of his plays • 3.the plot of his plays advanced not by action, but by dialogues(witty and brilliant )like comedies of manners; • 4.paradox effectively used, through which the truth is revealed;
Characteristics of his plays • 5. use of paradoxical characters, by which, the foolish, or the object of attack tell most striking truth.
Quotations from Shaw • 1. The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore allprogress depends on the unreasonable man.
Quotations from Shaw • 2. Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach. • 3.Too True to Be Good. • (c.f. too good to be true)
Pygmalion • I.Introduction: • 1.the title • In Greek mythology Pygmalion was a Cyprus king who fell in love with one of his women statues and , moved by his affection for the statue,the goddess turned the statue to life.
Pygmalion • I. Introduction: • 2.well-known , the basis for the musical play and film My Fair Lady. • 3.Professor Higgins takes a flower-seller from the London streets and makes her into a grand lady.
Pygmalion • II. Themes • 1.the behavior( not ways of talking )really shows the differences between the characters; • 2.the most important thing in human relationships is that people care about each other(Eliza); • 3.the most important thing is that they help each other to improve themselves(Professor Higgins)