Middle Class Morality In Pygmalion
Pygmalion was first published in 1912, by George Bernard Shaw. It was written at the end of Victorian England. Shaw’s love for the subject of class distinctions, and social hierarchies is reflected in this period.
Pygmalion explores the theme and morality of middle-class morality through Alfred Doolittle’s character. This exposes his attitudes prior to and after he gained his wealth. Shaw explains how the middle class tends not to get along with the lower classes because they want recognition from them. Shaw also refers to certain classifications in speech, manners and clothes that can be used to associate people with certain social class groups. These standards determine which social class is defined, as illustrated in Pygmalion. Alfred Doolittle recognized that the middle and lower classes have more freedom than those in the middle. Poor people are expected to do nothing in morality. However, middle-class individuals must adhere to established moral standards. Alfred’s willingness for compensation to make a profit from Eliza, his daughter, is an excellent example of this trend. Alfred’s social status at the start of the play means that he is expected not to be a caring and supportive father. Higgins has Eliza trained to be an admirable lady, and she makes a statement against Higgin’s insensitive treatment. She allows her to be independent, and not a duchess. As she portrays the noble, noble woman role better than the other characters in the play, her transformation shows that nobility and manners can be learned. Eliza soon begins to understand what the fundamentals of middle class behavior are. Eliza sees that she wasn’t a poor flower girl when she was younger, and her actions were unrestricted by other people’s perceptions. This allowed her freedom to do whatever she wanted. She is able to limit her actions if they are viewed as unusual by the middle classes.
Thus, Zadie’s observation on British society’s expectations of social behavior is reinforced by Clara’s and Eliza’s interactions. It is clear that this is an analogy to Joyce and Millat. White Teeth is a story in which the Chalfens encounter beauty. They are unable stop any interaction and thus exploit the white-savior complex. Joyce, who is white and wealthy, falls within the top social classes due to British class boundaries. Millat is Millat’s charming face that she meets when she first sees him. He has a roman complexion and is very different from the typical woman.
I would like to conclude by saying Clara and Eliza are the same person. Clara admires Eliza for her potential and differences from the rest of the middle class, and Eliza is proud of Clara’s ability to adapt to their standards.
