Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw

 

Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw, is about aa young girl who sells flowers and is part of the lower class. She gets an offer from a higher class linguist to learn proper English etiquette and is then put to the test at a party with higher class people. Nobody can tell of her past background and she passes the test. however, with her development of English language, she becomes a nonconformant and stands up for herself through all the insults she's received during her lessons. She ends up running away with another middle class man she knows and they begin their life together.

This book has very interesting characters and an complex theme. It shows the mental growth of a girl called Eliza, and it shows how gender roles and nonconformity at the right time can bring a person respect. Higgins is my favorite character in this paly as he is a high class man with an education and respect around his name. Due to this he gets away with breaking social norms in relation to language and gender roles. This book is highly recommended as it gets deep once you reach the end of the story as you begin to realize all the details of the story.

Reviewed by E.N., Grade 12

Casa Verdugo Library