Question

The character of Eliza Doolittle was inspired by a real person named Kitty Wilson, who had what profession?

• A. A housemaid
• B. An actress
• C. A seamstress
• D. A flower stall owner

Answer 1

Answer:

D. A flower stall owner

Pygmalion and Eliza Doolittle: Real-Life Inspirations

• Eliza Doolittle is the central character in George Bernard Shaw's critically acclaimed play Pygmalion.
• The character of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl transformed into a lady, was reportedly inspired by a real person named Kitty Wilson.
• Kitty Wilson was a flower stall owner whom Shaw observed, noting her distinctive speech and mannerisms, which he later incorporated into Eliza's character.
• George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish playwright and a prominent figure in English drama. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his work.
• Pygmalion, first staged in 1913, is a satirical play that explores themes of social class, language, identity, and the superficiality of societal distinctions.
• The play's title refers to the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with his own creation, Galatea. Similarly, Professor Henry Higgins sculpts Eliza's speech and manners.
• One of the most famous adaptations of Pygmalion is the 1956 Broadway musical My Fair Lady, which later became a highly successful 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins.
• My Fair Lady won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, highlighting the enduring popularity and cultural impact of Shaw's original work.
• Shaw was known for his social commentary and often used his plays to critique the class system and societal norms of his time.