Pygmalion is a classic play written by George Bernard Shaw which tells the story of a linguistics professor, Henry Higgins, who has a bet with his friend that he can take a lower class girl and turn her into a woman of high society The play follows Higgins' transformation of Eliza Doolittle from a simple flower girl into a woman of society. The play touches on themes of language, social class, and the power of education.
Pygmalion is a story of transformation, and as such it gives readers and writers plenty of material to explore. Here are five great essay topics for exploring the themes of Pygmalion:
1. The Power of Education: How does Henry Higgins’s transformation of Eliza Doolittle demonstrate the power of education?
2. Classism: How does the play illustrate the classism that exists in society?
3. Language: How important is language in Pygmalion? Is language a form of power?
4. Gender Roles: How did Pygmalion challenge traditional gender roles in society?
5. Impact: What is the lasting impact of Pygmalion on society? How does the play’s message still resonate today?