Sunday, July 31, 2011

How does society see Liza at the end of Pygmalion?

Liza is stuck in the middle of two classes.  She is no longer able to fit in with her flower-selling counterparts as she no longer looks or speaks the part.  In fact, when she goes back to her roots, no one she knows recognizes her.  She has been programed by Higgins to "be a duchess," yet she has no title, no money, no family, and no support system. 

She is enamored with Freddy, because he loves her and wants to marry her, but she is in love with Higgins.  Higgins, a self-proclaimed bachelor, does not wish to get married.  The reader is left to believe that he would allow her to live in his home as a "slipper-fetcher" and arm-ornament for those posh Victorian parties, but nothing more. 

Higgins won the bet, but he left Liza with nowhere to go.  It is understandable that she is frustrated and angry.  Her independence has been stripped from her as she is no longer able to support herself.  Perhaps she will sell flowers in a flower shop if someone will hire her without any work experience, but it is more likely she will marry and be miserable.

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