There is
another way of interpreting Eliza Doolittles transformation by Professor Higgins.
After she passes Higginss test, the Professor and his partner Pickering treat her
coldly, not even bothering to congratulate or thank her. Offended, Eliza disappears without
saying anything to the two men. When they discover she is in Mrs. Higginss home, the Professor
is irritated that she is not more grateful for making Eliza into a proper lady.
He sulks and pouts, annoyed that Eliza would expect gratitude after what he sees as the
hard work he had to put into changing her ways so that she could play the part of a convincing
lady. He continues to mock her, joking about her suggestion that she will marry Freddy and hand
over Higginss phonetic techniques to his rival. The play ends ambiguously with no clear
indication as to what is going to happen to these characters.
Rather than
exalting the ability of the lower classes to fit in with the upper classes through hard work,
Shaw is making a comment about the frivolity and emptiness of English high society. Eliza thanks
Pickering for always treating her like a duchess, even when she is still a lowly flower girl.
She says that his treatment of her is what allowed her to really embody a lady. She gained
self-respect and belief that she never had before because of Pickerings kindness and
gentility.
Contrary to what Higgins believes, his experiment was successful
in spite of himnot because of it. As he walks offstage in the final act, Higgins laughs
hysterically about Freddy. The lack of seriousness with which he treats Eliza, a member of the
lower class, is indicative of his prejudice and shallowness. Regardless of how much training and
education she receives, Higgins will never see Eliza as anything more than a flower
girl.
Of course, Shaw fills in the ambiguous ending with a lengthythat
confirms Elizas marriage to Freddy and Higginss continued judgment.
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