Shaw begins Pygmalion with a huge thunderstorm, forcing people of different classes to be huddled together under the protection of a portico. As Shaw was a staunch socialist, this beginning could have served as a message to show his ideological belief in socialism because, just as the people are sharing protection from the thunderstorm, socialism also involves sharing. Shaw subtlely gives his socialist stance a second time with the Freddy character, a little bit after the thunderstorm starts. As Freddy’s mother asks the flower girl how she knows Freddy’s name, she says that was what she would call anyone. This incident brings to our attention that Freddy is just another common name, nothing special, as socialists believe no one is above anyone else.
It’s funny how the mother and daughter are giving Freddy such a hard time for not being able to find a cab, calling him “helpless” and a “selfish pig” (Shaw 10). After all, it is Freddy who’s doing all the work of trying to find an available cab. While everyone else is safely under protection, he’s out in the storm getting soaked, going to distant places to find a cab for his complaining mother and sister. And when he finally does find one, his mother and sister have already left without him, walking to the bus. Shaw comically reverses the roles of men and women by having the women, the mother and daughter, in control and telling the man, Freddy, what to do, hinting to Shaw’s feminist view.
After the collision between Freddy and Eliza, Shaw describes Eliza’s physical appearance. This description sets up the reader into wondering how Higgins will ‘work his magic’ and help Eliza pass as a duchess by speaking ‘properly.’ However, Shaw does say that “Her features are no worse than theirs [the ladies]; but their condition leaves something to be desired” (Shaw 11). This explanation gives the reader the notion that there is a definite possibility that Eliza can pass as a duchess, but that she just needs some help, like from Higgins.
I hadn't considered that the opening might be viewed as a reflection of socialism, but its an interesting thing to consider. I've never viewed this play as being highly symbolic, since its so bluntly didactic, but now that I'm thinking about it, you've made me realize that even if the message appears obvious and up front, there might still be another layer to it. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes out for things like this as we continue.
ReplyDeleteI like the ideas you brought to light here. I personally just viewed Freddy as some kind of hen-pecked guy who just doesn't have enough backbone to deal with the women. But taking it as a metaphor for socialism, I can see the connections you're making, and I really like the way you're going with this.
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