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Gender Inequality In Pygmalion, By George Bernard Shaw

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Pygmalion, by George Bernard Shaw, portrays Shaw’s viewpoint on significant cultural issues. One such issue discussed in the play is gender inequality. Throughout the play, the relationship between Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle showcases the disparity between the different sexes via the actions and attitudes that the two display. Higgins and Eliza continuously argue as Eliza discovers that she has more power than she initially thought as she realizes that she is needed by Higgins in order for him to win the bet. Meanwhile, Higgins tries to keep Eliza in check in order to maintain his own dominance in their relationship. Higgins tries to shut down Eliza with insults and harsh comments, highlighting the ever-present divide between them. These …show more content…
For example, Higgins refers to a multitude of subjects including “Science and Literature and Classical Music” to emphasize the greater knowledge of men in regards to subjects such as science, philosophy, and mathematics (70). He claims that education is something more widely available to men, which improves their own intellect, inferring that the quality of life for men is also improved, for education is usually needed to be successful. This mentality accentuates that Higgins believes Eliza is nothing without his brain. She can never succeed because she doesn’t have the training that he has, further indicating the divide between men and women, for men have access to more opportunities than women have access …show more content…
Higgins remarks to Eliza that she needs to stop feeling neglected because all the men in the world are either going to spend their time “sniveling over you [Eliza]” or “giving you [Eliza] black eyes” because that is how the society is (70). This comparison highlights the difference between the behaviors of men towards women in a way that has a negative connotation in either scenario. Either the men will whine about every little thing a woman does or they will assert their dominance through any means possible – verbally or physically – once again accentuating the inequality and inferiority that women face compared to

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