Analysis of Class, Gender, Modernism: Pygmalion and To the Lighthouse

This essay undertakes a comparative analysis of George Bernard Shaw's play, Pygmalion, and Virginia Woolf's novel, To the Lighthouse, examining the themes of class, gender, and modernism. The essay begins by exploring Pygmalion, focusing on Shaw's critique of Victorian society, the challenges of social mobility, and the subversion of class and gender roles through the transformation of Eliza Doolittle. It then shifts to To the Lighthouse, highlighting Woolf's modernist techniques, including stream of consciousness, and her exploration of psychological depth, time, and the impermanence of human existence. The essay discusses how Woolf challenges conventional narrative structures and presents alternative perspectives on gender. Both works are examined for their portrayal of societal divisions and their exploration of the human condition within their respective contexts. The essay concludes by drawing connections between the two texts, demonstrating how both authors use their works to challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of human experience.

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Essay
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Author Note

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Section A
George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion represents a world divided by class and gender. Are
these divisions surmountable?
Pygmalion is one of the most critically acclaimed plays of all times. The seminal work by
George Bernard Show is a social satire which has been presented in the form of Comedy of
Manners. It critiques the society by mocking the upper class and how they perceive the world
and the lower spectrum of the society. George Bernard Show developed complex plots which did
not cater to the greater section of the society (McGovern). He has critiqued the Victorian society
which was condescended for being notorious and classicist. The values which were ingrained in
the society were hypocritical as the nature of judgment was too shallow. This was rightly pointed
out and addressed by Shaw, in his works.
The intention of Shaw in the play is to depict the differences which exist between the
upper class and working class of the society (Kent). The lower class was often looked down
upon by the upper class society who considered themselves to be superior and made coarse jokes
about their mannerisms, attitudes and condition of living. The play revolves around Eliza’s
journey to learn about the upper class ways and look like a Duchess in an event which is to
follow sometimes later. The process of transformation is very significant, as Shaw, with the help
of which, points out the disgusting image which is pained by the upper class concerning the
lower and working class of the society.
Eliza’s character is not only symbolic of the social and gender role of the working class
but also that they can be subverted when there is intent and effort. Eliza was treated like she
belonged to the inferior section of the society and got judged for the work she did for a living,

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i.e., selling flowers. The language and accent with which she spoke, was quite different from the
standardized linguistic traits. Shaw has advocated the lower classes because of the prejudices
which are thrown at them by the upper classes (Kent). He projects the lower spectrum of the
society without the limitations which is thought to be there as their shortcomings. They cannot be
held to be inferior for their social identities but they can subvert them easily with efforts if they
are willing to do so. The process of transformation makes Eliza realize many things about the
upper class society and its treatment towards the women.
Eliza Doolittle is a flower girl who could become a professional with the help off
Professor Henry Higgins. She was first discovered by Higgins at the Covent Guarding as was
intrigued by the peculiar accent with which she spoke. She was discovered by Higgins while she
sold flowers and uttered words in a disfigured manner. This compelled Higgins to take note of
the differing nuances as he asserted the fact to be able to turn Eliza into a Duchess with his
Phonetician Skills. The emphasis is laid on the poor articulation of linguistic details by the lower
classes as can be seen in case of Eliza, as she sells flowers at the Covent Garden. Eliza intends to
undergo the transformation to achieve high ranking in the society. The true concern of the play is
associated with the issue of class which is pertinent to the British society.
The differences of the society are caused due to capitalism as resources and wealth are
concentrated in the smaller pockets of the society. Bernard Shaw goes on to point out how
expression with the usage of language is exemplary to reveal social ranking (Chothia). This fine
line between a common girl and a Duchess maintained through poise, mannerism and speech.
Eliza could become a Duchess as was promised by Higgins while she realizes that true potential
lay in herself. The hierarchy which exists in the society is nothing but an inevitable reality which
have been rightly depicted though the socialist play by Bernard Shaw. The most shocking

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incident, as was first claimed by Pickering was actualized by Higgins and Eliza herself, is the
class mobility. Language is characteristic of where a person’s nativity is, but language itself has
been used to subvert social standards.
Shaw has paid great attention to depict the gender roles which were prevalent in the
Victorian society. Shaw condescends the expectations which existed about women in the society.
He poses some serious questions when it comes to gender and femininity (Graham). The ideal
picture of women has been presented being flawed and realistic as Eliza breaks those shackle and
climbs the social ladder. Eliza becomes someone else, who she is not while he is coached and
taught about the ways and mannerisms of the upper class society and the Duchess. The gender
roles are explored in the play through other characters too, which include Mrs. Higgins and Mrs.
Pearce who are confined to the domestic domains of their homes in the play. Both the characters
play important roles in the play to reach conclusion (Graham). However, Eliza faces choices
such as living with Higgins, marrying Freddy or staying with her father suggest that it is still a
patriarchal society and structure in which women must conform to even after gaining basic
rights.
Section B
'Make it new!' was a defining ambition of modernist writers and artists. How does Virginia
Woolf make the novel new in To the Light House?
Virginia Woolf is one of the most critically acclaimed Modernist writers. She is often
considered as the best modernist writers of the Modernism period. Modernism, as a development
in the artistic sphere came into prominence during 1890s (Berman). It eventually flourished
through the scientific, materialistic and cultural sphere as it changed thinking and expression of

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the modern lives. It took place during the period which witnessed rapid social change which also
includes industrial revolution. There were subsequent advancements in science and social
sciences as well. The Victorian optimism and morality were considered to be no longer
compatible for which there was a growing alienation. A quest for newer ways of thinking and
expression could be traced in the artistic fervor of the time (Albright). The authors who rejected
the conventions and chronology which were followed in narrative include Gertrude Stein,
Virginia Woolf, Marcel Proust, William Faulkner and so on. These authors are thought to be the
most influential writers of the movement.
Modernist writers chose to employ the free verse medium to convey their thoughts and
ideas while some of the authors presented multiple point of views using the style of Stream of
Consciousness. ‘Making it New’ is one of the most associable and useful expression which is
characterized to be a sacred obligation. The Victorian notions were overturned with the help of
Literary Modernist techniques and notions. It opened newer avenues of expression challenging
the symbolist and mimetic art forms. To the Lighthouse, is a novel which is written by Virginia
Woolf and published in 1927. It is considered to have a more complex plot as compared to her
other novels. With this novel, Woolf is able to assert herself as one of the leading writers of the
modernism period as she experiments with the literary style and narration. She presents an
alternative for the patriarchal world and depiction of women in the society with a deeper
understanding of one’s consciousness and perception of themselves and the world. Woolf
highlights the inner lives of the characters through their consciousness which reinforce the
psychological and scientific ideas during the time when Freud had presented the ideas about
consciousness. It can be assumed that Woolf was greatly influenced by his works.

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To the Lighthouse is considered to be a typically modernist novel as the importance is
given to the psychological developments rather than the plot (Childs). This support the
characters, their development and expression of principal values. It advocates as well as explores
through psychological traits of humankind. Time, in the novel has been presented in a manner
which shatters the conventional notions as the longest span of time has been presented in the
short chapter while the shortest span of time has been presented through the longest chapter.
Different literary devices have been used to present arguments which include dialogues as well
as narratives.
The novel has a third person omniscient narrator who makes revelations about the
characters and development. The narrator is associated with the principal characters which
include Lily Biscoe, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay yet it is formal. The narrative is very significant as it
is affective to point out important development and details about the characters yet maintain a
distance which allows the readers to interpret meaning. However, there also are characters which
have not been exposed as strongly as the other characters in the story. The multiple voices allow
the story to be interpreted by the readers and draw conclusions accordingly.
The usage of time, in the novel is very significant as time has not been presented in a
linear manner. Through the first chapter, Woolf introduce her characters, their minds and the
relationships which are shared by one another. Virginia Woolf experimented with her writing by
breaking the conventional ways in terms of plot, narrative and time, which has made it one of the
most remarkable and complex novels (Sandberg). Woolf could achieve fluidity in her novel by
employing the style of stream of consciousness style. There is an elemental shift of cultural and
artistic responses which is evident in To the Lighthouse Novel. The novel is symbolic of the
impermanence of human beings and the things which remain. Ramsay strives to be a legendary

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philosopher yet whose books are not too read. He acknowledges the impermanence also at the
end of his book as he perceives and presents himself as a desolate man. This is suggestive of
bleak human existence which is inevitable as they are quickly forgotten after death. However,
meaning can be found and associated with existence through art.

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References
Albright, Daniel. Putting Modernism Together: Literature, Music, and Painting, 1872–1927.
JHU Press, 2015.
Berman, Jessica, ed. A companion to Virginia Woolf. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
Childs, Peter. Modernism. Routledge, 2016.
Chothia, Jean. English Drama of the Early Modern Period 1890-1940. Routledge, 2016.
Faulkner, Peter. Modernism (Routledge Revivals). Routledge, 2013.
Graham, Philip. "Bernard Shaw's neglected role in English feminism 1880–1914." Journal of
Gender Studies 23.2 (2014): 167-183.
Kent, Brad. "Bernard Shaw, the British censorship of plays, and modern celebrity." English
Literature in Transition, 1880-1920 57.2 (2014): 231-253.
McGovern, Derek. "From Stage Play to Hybrid: Shaw's Three Editions of Pygmalion." SHAW
Annual: The Annual of Bernard Shaw Studies 31.1 (2011): 9-30.
Sandberg, Eric. Virginia Woolf: Experiments in Character. Cambria Press, 2014.