4.Pygmalion---By George Bernard Shaw.pptVIP

A brief introduction to Shaw * Page ? * George Bernard Shaw, Irish dramatist, literary critic, a socialist spokesman, and a leading figure in the 20th century theater. Shaw was a freethinker, defender of women’s rights, and advocate of equality of income. In 1925 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Shaw accepted the honour but refused the money. He was a very humorous playwright. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Pygmalion, an artist, dislikes local women. He spends much time creating a stone statue of a beautiful woman. Pygmalion He falls in love with the statue and goes to the Greek Goddess Aphrodite to ask her to to bring the statue to life. As a result of his prayers, his wish is granted and the statue is made into a real woman. The two marry and live happily ever after. The Pygmalion Effect 皮格马利翁效应 The Pygmalion Effect is that people tend to behave as you expect they will. If you expect a person to take responsibility, they probably will. If you expect them not to even try, they probably won’t. What we expect tends to come true. Psychological term 心理学术语 This play “My fair lady” (窈窕淑女)by George Bernard Shaw is an adaptation of this Greek myth. Although there is no character called Pygmalion in the play, it is about the same theme 主题。 the myth the play The play by Shaw has the same theme as the Greek story. Eliza Evidence in the play Position in society Character Lower class Language: calls gentleman “sir” and ___________ (or captain) which is a compliment Behaviour: _______ to people of higher class respectful “cap’in” Henry Higgins Evidence in the play Position in society Character Language: calls Eliza “___________” and Pickering “________________” Behaviour: _____ to lower class; _____ to same or upper class Middle class rude polite you silly girl my dear man Colonel Pickering Evidence in the play Position in society Character Upper class Behaviour: generally confident and ______; but _______ Eliza polite i