Chapter: 09. A Comedy Of Manners
Literary Appreciation
“A Comedy of Manners” is an exciting and witty play that explores how language and social behavior define who we are in society. The word “comedy” might make you think of jokes and laughter, and while this play certainly has funny moments, the term comes from ancient Greek theater. Back then, comedies were plays that used humor to poke fun at the way people acted, the rules of society, or even specific individuals. They often showed how ridiculous certain behaviors or social customs could be.
This play, adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s famous work “Pygmalion,” uses humor to highlight the differences between social classes and how a person’s speech can determine their opportunities. It makes us think about what it truly means to be a “lady” or a “gentleman” and whether those qualities are about wealth and fancy clothes, or something deeper. It’s a brilliant example of how a story can be both entertaining and make us think about important ideas.
Summary of the Play
“A Comedy of Manners” tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl with a thick accent and rough manners, who dreams of working in a fancy flower shop. She approaches Professor Higgins, a phonetics expert who studies accents, and asks him to teach her to speak like a lady. Higgins is initially dismissive but is challenged by his friend Colonel Pickering to transform Eliza into someone who can pass as a duchess at an ambassador’s garden party. Higgins, excited by the challenge, agrees. Eliza is cleaned up and given new clothes, much to the shock of everyone, including her father, Alfred Doolittle, who shows up trying to extort money. The play then shows Eliza’s first difficult lesson, where she struggles to pronounce words correctly, revealing the immense challenge of changing deeply ingrained speech habits, but also her determination to succeed.
Detailed Explanation of Each Scene
Act II Scene I
This scene opens in Professor Higgins’s laboratory, a place filled with equipment for studying speech.
Eliza’s Bold Request: Eliza Doolittle, a flower girl Higgins met the day before, bravely arrives asking for lessons. She’s not just begging; she offers to pay! This shows her determination and ambition to improve her life. Her dream is to work in a flower shop, which means speaking “more genteel” (polite and refined). Higgins’s Initial Reaction: Higgins is rude and dismissive. He’s a scientist, interested only in her accent for research, not in helping her personally. He tells her she’s “of no use” to him and that her accent is “terrible” and her grammar “atrocious” (very bad). This highlights his focus on language as a scientific subject rather than a tool for social improvement for someone like Eliza. Pickering’s Intervention and the Bet: Colonel Pickering, a kind and pleasant gentleman, takes an interest in Eliza. He sees her potential and challenges Higgins: if Higgins can pass Eliza off as a lady at the Ambassador’s garden party, Pickering will pay for all her lessons and declare Higgins the greatest teacher. This bet sparks Higgins’s interest, turning Eliza’s plea into an exciting scientific “experiment” for him. Eliza’s Transformation Begins: Once Higgins agrees, he hands Eliza over to his housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce, for a bath and new clothes. This is a crucial first step in her physical transformation. When she reappears, clean and in a blue kimono, Higgins, Pickering, and even her own father are “awestruck” and don’t recognize her! This dramatic moment emphasizes how much appearance can change perception. Alfred Doolittle’s Appearance: Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle, a dustman, bursts in. He initially pretends to be a concerned father, demanding his daughter back. However, Higgins quickly realizes Doolittle is trying to “extort” (get money by threatening) him. Doolittle is a cunning character who uses his “poor man” status to get what he wants. Higgins gives him money just to get rid of him, showing Doolittle’s opportunistic nature. Doolittle, seeing Eliza’s new appearance, gives his “blessing” for her “career” and leaves. Act II Scene II
This scene takes place a few days later, showing Eliza’s first lesson with Higgins and Pickering.
The Struggle to Speak: Eliza is nervous and impatient, thinking she already knows her alphabet. But when she tries to speak, her old habits are deeply ingrained. She pronounces “A, B, C, D” as “Ahyee, bayee, cayee, dayee” and “A cup of tea” as “A cappate-ee.” This shows the immense difficulty of changing an accent, as it’s not just about knowing letters but about the precise placement of the tongue, lips, and breath. Higgins’s Teaching Methods: Higgins is impatient and demanding, but also shows glimmers of encouragement. He explains the physical mechanics of pronunciation (like putting her tongue forward for “cup”). When Eliza finally manages to say “Cup!” correctly, Higgins is “pleased” and rewards her with a chocolate, indicating his focus on results. A Small Victory: Eliza’s correct pronunciation of “cup” is a small but significant step. It proves that with effort, she can learn. Higgins’s Determination: Despite the difficulty, Higgins remains confident, declaring, “By God, I will and I shall make a lady out of her!” This highlights his resolve and belief in his own abilities as a teacher. Theme and Moral of the Story
Themes:
Social Class and Language: The play strongly emphasizes how one’s social standing is often judged by how they speak and appear. Eliza wants to change her accent to climb the social ladder, showing that language acts as a barrier or a bridge between different classes. Transformation and Identity: Eliza undergoes a significant transformation, both physically (from dirty flower girl to clean young lady) and in her speech. The play raises questions about whether changing outward appearances and speech truly changes who a person is inside, or if it’s merely an act. The Power of Education and Mentorship: Higgins, despite his rude manners, is a master of phonetics. His ability to teach Eliza demonstrates the power of specialized knowledge and dedicated, albeit unconventional, instruction to bring about remarkable change. Prejudice and Stereotypes: Higgins’s initial contempt for Eliza based on her social status and speech shows how quickly people judge others based on surface-level characteristics. Moral:
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover: Eliza’s transformation shows that appearance and speech can be deceptive. A person’s true potential and character may be hidden beneath outward circumstances. Language is a Powerful Tool: The play teaches us that the way we speak can open or close doors to opportunities and how others perceive us. Learning to speak clearly and appropriately for different situations can be a valuable skill. Determination Leads to Progress: Despite the immense challenges and Higgins’s harsh teaching style, Eliza’s persistence and desire to improve herself enable her to make progress towards her goal. Hard work and dedication are key to achieving ambitions. Author Spotlight: George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was a brilliant and witty Irish writer who made a huge impact on the world of theater. Born in Dublin, he later moved to London where he became a successful playwright and critic.
Shaw wasn’t just interested in telling stories; he was also very involved in politics and loved to question the way society worked. He often used his plays to point out the problems and hypocrisies he saw in the world around him. He believed that art should not only entertain but also make people think and encourage change.
He wrote over sixty plays, many of which are still performed today, including famous ones like Caesar and Cleopatra and Major Barbara. Pygmalion, from which “A Comedy of Manners” is adapted, is one of his most beloved works. Shaw was so influential that he even won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925! He was known for his sharp wit, his clever dialogues, and his ability to combine humor with serious social commentary. His plays often challenged traditional ideas and encouraged audiences to look at the world with fresh eyes.
Story