Speaking of Stereotypes...

The way George Bernard Shaw explored such a wide range of themes in his play Pygmalion was magnificent. He ventured through themes of transformation, identity, society and class, and so many more.  Of the many themes Shaw presented, the two that impacted me the most were the importance of the English language and the stereotype of classes.
Shaw constantly expresses the importance of the English language through his use of formal and informal speech. Within the first few pages you can easily distinguish the difference of classes between the flower girl Eliza and the English Professor Henry Higgins just by their dialogue. When Eliza approaches Professor Higgins she explains that she wants him to teach her to be a lady through her grammar so she can own a flower shop, rather than being the simple flower girl on the streets that she is. She comprehends that without the ability to speak properly it is unlikely she would succeed with her flower shop. If Eliza continued talk in the way she did, it would be obvious that she was of a lesser class which would lower the likelihood of people visiting her shop. I hope to own my own cafe in the future so can I understand why she would believe that without proper speech her business would fail to thrive. I do not want to open my cafe if the way I talk seems like I never went to school. A cafe is social business that involves interacting with the customers, whether it is formal or casual. I expect my employees to be able to converse casually as well as formally with the customers; I will have to stick to this expectation myself.
Through his use of dialogue Shaw demonstrates the stereotype of classes. In the play, as well as in real life, the poor are most often assumed to have no sense of education or etiquette. I believe the biggest example of this is how one’s class is assumed simply by the manner in which he or she speaks. Throughout the play you see Eliza transform into a high class lady through the way she talks. At the Ambassadors party Nepomuk decided that Eliza must have been a hungarian princess from a simple conversation. When Nepomuk informs the Hostess and Professor Higgins of his belief and Higgins informs him that Eliza is a simpleton from the gutter the Hostess and Nepomuk laugh at the idea. I do not think it is right to assume the class of others through stereotypes and I try my best not to.
George Bernard Shaw did a wonderful job exploring all of his themes with a great perspective. The English language played such a large role with-in his play Pygmalion. I causes my to realize just how incredible it truly is. The way he displayed how easily the English language can affect how one is perceived was impressive.