A five paragraph essay (introduction, three body paragraphs, Research Paper

A five paragraph essay (introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion) discussing how Bernard Shaw accurately depicted his era in Pygmalion - Research Paper Example The play Pygmalion gives an illustration of the differences and the tensions between the lower and the upper class. There was a general belief in that era that an individual is born into a particular class and the individual cannot move from one class to the other. Bernard Shaw believed that an individual’s personality is not determined by birth. Instead, Shaw had the thought that someone can accomplish social change if he or she can believe in themselves. In the play, the obstacles between the classes are not natural and they can be broken. Alfred Doolittle and Eliza live in deplorable conditions and they give a representation of the working class. The scenarios that happen to Eliza and her father indicate the Shaw’s belief that individuals are capable of improving their lives by their efforts, but they have to take into consideration the changes in their character. Thus, it is not absurd to note that the difference between the flower girl and the lady lies in the lady ’s treatment rather than her behavior. THE FLOWER GIRL [protesting] Whos trying to deceive you? I called him Freddy or Charlie same as you might yourself if you was talking to a stranger and wished to be pleasant. [She sits down beside her basket].† (Classic Reader 1). â€Å"DOOLITTLE [unabashed] Can’t afford them, Governor. Neither could you if you was as poor s me. Not that I mean any harm, you know. But if Liza is going to have a bit out of this, why not me too?† (The EServer Drama Collection 1). Similarly, Doolittle expresses the difficulty in changing one’s entire personality. When he acquires wealth, he conforms to the ways of the upper class and fears to be associated with the lower class. Instead of the depicted development, an individual is supposed to create his or her own personal and flexible behavior code. The upper class regards wealth and background as