Middle Class Morality in Pygmalion

Written in 1912 by George Bernard Shaw, Pygmalion is set in the early 20th century, at the end of the Victorian era in England. This time period is greatly characterized by a particular movement of social reform, alluding to Shaw’s interest in the theme of class distinction and social hierarchies.

 Pygmalion depicts the theme of middle class morality mostly through the character of Alfred Doolittle, exposing his attitudes both before and after we obtained his wealth. Shaw explains that the middle class tends to distance themselves from the lower class, as they seek recognition from the upper class, alluding to the certain classifications of speech, manners, and clothing styles that associate individuals with specific social classes. These standards are what define each social class, showing the structure of the social hierarchy depicted in Pygmalion. Alfred Doolittle recognizes that the lower class has more freedom than the middle class. In terms of morality nothing is expected from a poor individual whereas due to the established behaviors in society, the middle class must expose the expected moral standards. 

A thriving example of such trend is Alfred’s willingness to sell his own daughter Eliza in compensation for profit, depicting his divergence from an admirable father. Due to his social status in the beginning of the play, Alfred is not expected to be a supporting and caring father, as the lower class does not abide by the social theory of morality. After Eliza is trained by Higgins to portray an admirable lady she becomes much more instrumental than fundamental as she decides to make a statement for her own dignity against Higgin’s insensitive treatment, allowing her to become, not a duchess, but an independent woman. Her transformation also shows how manners and nobility can be learned, clearly depicted as she plays the part of a noble lady better than those who belong the the higher classes encountered in the play. However, as she learns the  unwritten codes of proper behavior (morality), Eliza begins to understand the very basis of the middle class. Eliza realizes that when she was just a poor flower girl, her behavior was not restrained by other’s perceptions, allowing her to act as she pleased. By entering the social circle of the middle class she limits her actions as they may be perceived as out of the traditional. 

Consequently, Zadie Smith’s commentary on social expectations in British society is reinforced by the interactions between Clara and Eliza which is a clear parallel to Joyce and Millat. In White Teeth, when the Chalfens are encountered with beauty, they are unable to prevent any type of interaction and therefore exploit the white savior complex. Due to the strict class distinctions established in Britain, Joyce is part of the highest social class, as she is a white affluent woman. As she encounters Millat, she immediately finds him beautiful due to his colored skin, roman facial features, and divergence from typical appearance. 

To conclude I want to write that Clara and Eliza symbolize the same relationship, as Clara admires Eliza’s potential and difference from any of the members of the middle class as she was not born into wealth but instead assimilated into their standards, alluding to the fetish of the other depicted in both literary works.