Archetypes In Pygmalion

Pygmalion is a play written by George Bernard Shaw in 1912, and Pygmalion is the title of the book variant. Pygmalion was later turned into a movie, titled My Fair Lady. Pygmalion tells the story of a phonetics professor who bets other people that he can turn someone from lower class to upper class in six months. Pygmalion focuses on Pygmalion’s interaction with a flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, that he purchases from her mother and transforms into a woman who can pass for a duchess.

Pygmalion’s bet is won when Eliza comes to class one day, speaking so well that the two have an argument about which of them had more influence over the other. Pygmalion tells his friend about what had happened, and they both go to the professor’s house where they meet a new character: Freddy Eynsford-Hill, who wants to court Eliza. Pygmalion tries to get rid of him by insulting his mannerisms and social status, but it fails, Pygmalion is too impressed with the young man’s self-confidence. Pygmalion goes to Eliza’s house that night, where he finds Freddy leaving after buying her some flowers.

Pygmalion calls him an idiot and asks him if he has no idea what sort of girl she is; Freddy defends her honor without knowing who Pygmalion even is or how wealthy he must be. Pygmalion documents this event in his diary the next day, also describing his astonishment over her kindness and generosity to both men. Pygmalion then begins tutoring Freddy on how to woo Eliza, giving him lessons about noblemen vs working-class citizens, which Pygmalion says are clearly defined. He spends several days coaching Freddy on how to act around upper-class individuals.

Pygmalion eventually tells his friend that he is too poor for Eliza, but that Pygmalion will buy him an expensive present the next time they see each other. The two men don’t see each other again until Pygmalion goes to a fancy dinner party with his mother and sister, where he sees Eliza accompanied by Freddy. Pygmalion has no idea who she is, but it becomes apparent when Freddy says her name in his presence. Pygmalion asks what happened to her old clothing, and thinking Pygmalion must know her already, Freddy informs him that Pygmalion sent them all back when she became too big for them.

Pygmalion is silent as Freddy and Eliza begin to dance together, Pygmalion then observes the young couple getting along well and seeing Eliza’s remarkable transformation from a poor flower girl into a lady that can fit into society. Pygmalion then looks back at his diary and remembers that he once thought love was a many-splendoured thing, but now he knows it has been reduced to this. Pygmalion goes home to change out of his suit before going out again. Pygmalion gets to meet up with Eliza after she finishes her performance, Pygmalion returns the necklace he bought her earlier yet never gave her.

Pygmalion asks if he can walk her home, and she agrees. Pygmalion reels at his emotions as he walks her home that night, Pygmalion then realizes that Eliza is the only one for him. Pygmalion remembers once thinking love was a many-splendoured thing, but now he knows it has been reduced to this. Pygmalion begins to follow Eliza on her walks home every night after their dinner party interaction, until one day Pygmalion’s sister expresses horror over the way Pygmalion is following Eliza like some sort of stalker. He tells his sister that he loves Eliza Doolittle; his sister thinks there must be someone else out there better suited for him.

Pygmalion overhears friends talking about how superior women are compared to men and this causes Pygmalion to end up disliking women even more than usual (he thinks of them as evil). Pygmalion decides to sculpt a woman out of marble and when he begins, he falls so in love with the statue that he prays for her to turn into somebody capable of loving him back. A miracle occurs and Pygmalion goes on to marry his own creation.

(Author’s note: I chose Pygmalion because Pygmalion is the protagonist of Pygmalion, and Pygmalion represents the Archetype of Transformer because Pygmalion carves a statue out of stone. Pygmalion’s wife-to-be is the Transformed Character in Pygmalion; she goes through a physical transformation to become human. I chose George Bernard Shaw as the author not only because Pygmalion was written by him, but also because he painted an image like this.)

I think about Pygalion’s cult following every time I see somebody wearing this shirt (Author’s note: shawl collar cardigan) at school or something; Pygalions are everywhere these days! Pygalions enjoy things that are beautiful or that are capable of being Pygalions themselves, I guess. Pygalions are the ones most likely to be using their phones in class or wearing something really nice. Pygalion is very popular with young people who are Pygalions themselves, because Pygmalion is so relatable!

Pygalion’s archetypal story goes on to describe Pygmalion completely shaping another person into his perfect woman. Once he finally kisses her, she becomes a real person and they get married! This is why Pygmalion appeals to so many millennial fashionistas. Pygmalion’s tale exists in different cultures all over the world; it’s very universal! We’ve all had experiences where we have attended fashion shows or used Snapchat filters that have Pygalion’d us. Pygmalion is truly a timely classic!

(Author’s note: Pygmalion has been made into a play multiple times, but the most recent Pygmalion adaptation I can think of would be My Fair Lady (pictured here). Pygmalion’s archetypal story relates to idolizing celebrities or fashion models because Pygalions want to become like their idols.)

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