The entire play is social commentary on social hierarchy and middle class morality hidden beneath the plot- the characters help portray his opinions because the plot exemplifies it through the situations the characters undergo which illuminate the flaws in our society and human nature. This play is satire because it uses Alfred Doolittle and Henry Higgins to ridicule the upper class and exposes how silly their social standards for class distinction are. Shaw wants the audience to notice these flaws in our society and uses humor to exemplify that because when we do laugh at the characters, we are laughing at our own living style. Comedies are usually characterized by having a happy ending, but Shaw challenges that by leaving the end for the readers/ audience to interpret for themselves with the clues he left through the actions, thoughts, and words of the characters. The little hint of romance at the end of the play with Higgins telling Eliza that he likes her and when she rejects him because Freddy likes her still serve as part of the social commentary that Shaw is trying to make. The romance is not to satisfy the hopes of the readers/audience but to show character development and show the flaws in marriage for the Victorian upper class.
Satire is found when Alfred Doolittle arrives at Henry Higgins’s home in Act 2- he pretends to be a very concerned father but he is actually there to make a profit out of Eliza. Through this scene Shaw demonstrates humor through the exaggerated and emotionally driven actions of Alfred when conversing with Higgins who is toying with his personality and motives. Through any interactions with Doolittle, Shaw shows the faults in middle class morality with humor in the situation. Comedy is found through the interactions between Henry and Eliza because Higgins’s clever sarcasm and Eliza’s naïve personality clashed into amusing dialogue. Examples of their funny exchange can be seen in Act 2 when Eliza has come to Higgins for lessons and Higgins agreed to take her in as an experiment – “MRS. PEARCE. But I've no place to put her.
HIGGINS. Put her in the dustbin
LIZA. Ah—ah—ah—ow—ow—oo!”
These elements are aids for Shaw to make commentary about society, and the title serves as sarcasm because it really is not a romantic tale- it is truly about the ignorance of the upper class. The entire play is satire for this, and while there is comedy and romance, these are just mere literary elements used to emphasize his points in a lighter manner.
Satire is found when Alfred Doolittle arrives at Henry Higgins’s home in Act 2- he pretends to be a very concerned father but he is actually there to make a profit out of Eliza. Through this scene Shaw demonstrates humor through the exaggerated and emotionally driven actions of Alfred when conversing with Higgins who is toying with his personality and motives. Through any interactions with Doolittle, Shaw shows the faults in middle class morality with humor in the situation. Comedy is found through the interactions between Henry and Eliza because Higgins’s clever sarcasm and Eliza’s naïve personality clashed into amusing dialogue. Examples of their funny exchange can be seen in Act 2 when Eliza has come to Higgins for lessons and Higgins agreed to take her in as an experiment – “MRS. PEARCE. But I've no place to put her.
HIGGINS. Put her in the dustbin
LIZA. Ah—ah—ah—ow—ow—oo!”
These elements are aids for Shaw to make commentary about society, and the title serves as sarcasm because it really is not a romantic tale- it is truly about the ignorance of the upper class. The entire play is satire for this, and while there is comedy and romance, these are just mere literary elements used to emphasize his points in a lighter manner.