Social Stereotypes in "Pygmalion"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion," focusing on the differences that Shaw creates between the stereotypes of social class and the behavior associated with them. The writer explains that Shaw, himself a socialist born to a relatively low class family who believed in the elimination of social differences between the rich and the poor, portrays his characters as initially true to the stereotypes related to their socioeconomic classes, and then develops them to show that ultimately it is their merit and self-worth that determines how they are treated.

From the Paper:

"At this point Shaw does not give these characters names, but addresses them as the type of people they appear to be. As the story progresses these initial impressions change greatly. During the opening scene Mr. Higgins is referred to as "The Note-Taker." Shaw gives Mr. Higgins this name because he appears to be a scholar. Mr. Higgins demonstrates his intelligence by determining where people are from based on their speech. He is also quick to inform people of his wealth. After quickly examining "The Note Taker" a bystander announces to the crowd, "It's all right: he's a gentleman: look at his boots.""

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