Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw


Reading of Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

I read Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw today. This is a play that I have not had a lot of experience with. I did see it once at the National Theatre, but that is the only time. I have not read it since graduate school.
The thing that struck me the most - surprised me really - was the amount of sexual tension between Eliza and Higgins, especially at the end.
I don't know whether he had this in mind - but since I am now reading a book about the Revolutionary War, I couldn't help but think that it works as an allegory for British Imperialism, especially in relationship to their colonies. Higgins believes in equality and teaches it to Eliza - but Eliza comes to realize that she has lost the independence she had before she met Higgins, but can never really be considered an equal by Higgins. It reminds me of Gandhi's comment that after he had been to school in England that he was aware of that he had become neither fully Indian nor fully English.

Posted: Fri - January 30, 2004 at 08:30 PM          

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