Topic > Pygmalion vs. My Fair Lady

Many times a piece of literature is made into a film or musical, its plot and/or theme changed to fit the director's thoughts on what would appeal to audiences. One such example is Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion. In this play Shaw's purpose and ideas were so terribly misunderstood that he was forced to write an epilogue to try to reconcile the injustice done to his masterpiece. In the epilogue he bluntly expressed his points and goals so that the ignorant public could no longer ignore the theme of Shaw's play and turn it into a love story with a happy ending. Shaw's indignation was triggered by the director's construction of characters and dialogue. Character roles were strengthened and diminished depending on the director's goals. This was achieved by adding modified scenes, songs, and dialogue accompanied by omitted scenes and by minimizing the roles of other characters. The role of one such character that was altered and changed from Shaw's entire purpose was that of Henry Higgins. The two main things that were altered in Henry Higgins' character were his outlook on life and his profession, closely accompanied by his relationship with Eliza. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Higgins' view on life and profession and, above all, character was improved and did little to change Shaw's overall purpose. However, in multiple scenes, added and omitted, accompanied by songs explaining his thought process, he strengthened and changed his character. One such scene occurred on a street corner when Higgins told the crowd about their origin and dialect. This was emphasized to show Higgins' profession and skills. Dialogue is also added to express Higgins' extremist opinion on poor grammar and language. It is best said in the quote, which is not found in the play, A woman who makes such disgusting and depressing noises has no right to be anywhere, no right to live. Remember that you are a human being with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech. That your natural language is the language of Shakespeare, Milton and the Bible, don't sit there humming like a bilious pigeon. This quote is followed by the song Why the English Can't Teach Their Children to Speak. These combined immensely strengthen Higgins' views and opinions on language. Higgins later expresses his opinions on women with Colonel Pickering through the song Why can ta woman be more like a man. In the play Higgins simply states that he is a hardened old bachelor, but in the film it is over-dramatized in the song. The best contribution that the film makes to the play is in the dialogue in which he expresses his willingness to accept the bet. He says what could be more rewarding than changing a person's class and character solely through speech. This is an excellent line that perfectly captures Higgins' purpose. The other aspect that was significantly changed and that made Shaw so angry was the relationship between Higgins and Eliza. The transition from a condescending relationship to a love that will last. It adds the scenes and events of Eliza's teachings, which the play briefly left out. This is where we see the change in their relationship. At the beginning of the exercises Higgins makes Eliza say a phrase every evening and says: You will go much further with the Lord if you learn not to offend His ears. Then later he drills her with marbles and she swallows one and he swallows her.