64 pages • 2 hours read
George Bernard ShawPygmalion
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1913A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, Professor Henry Higgins, a phonetics expert, bets he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, into a refined lady who can pass for a duchess. Through rigorous speech lessons, Eliza's transformation astonishes society, leading to unexpected consequences for her identity and future.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion receives praise for its sharp wit, rich character development, and social commentary on class and transformation. Critics appreciate Shaw's clever dialogue and engaging narrative. However, some express dissatisfaction with the ambiguous ending and occasional didactic tone. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking and enduring work.
Who Should Read Pygmalion?
A reader who enjoys Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw likely appreciates witty social commentary and character-driven narratives. Comparable to fans of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Shakespeare's comedies, or Oscar Wilde's works, they revel in incisive explorations of class, identity, and transformation within a humorous and theatrical context.