Question

How does Shaw portray the power of language in Pygmalion?

• A. As a means of elevating or controlling one's social standing
• B. As a way to express personal emotions and feelings
• C. As a tool for comedic relief in the dialogue
• D. As a method to critique the government and politics

Answer 1

Answer:

A. As a means of elevating or controlling one's social standing

• In Pygmalion, language is portrayed as a powerful tool that can influence a person's position in society.

• Shaw uses the character of Henry Higgins, a phonetics expert, to show how language can be used to change someone's social status.

• Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl, learns to speak more "properly" through Higgins' teachings, which helps her transition from a lower class to a more refined, higher social position.

• Shaw critiques the way language is used to judge and control people's identities and opportunities, emphasizing how mastery of language can be the key to social mobility.