Blog Entry Question #2: How does Pygmalion compare to other books you've read?
Pygmalion is different than almost anything I've read before. Most older books featuring a woman and a man as the main characters, depict the woman being strong and independent to start out with, then progressively becomes the "ideal housewife", loosing all their independence to get married and stay at home. Even in modern novels with any sort of romance involved, the female protagonist usually starts out as someone who can generally take care of themselves fairly well, and is a well-spoken character. As soon as you add the boy in the book, though, they become sort of disorientated and get a sort of 'damsel in distress syndrome.'
What I enjoy about Pygmalion, is that they work backwards in a way, from what the other novels do in character development. Eliza starts out as a sniveling, whiny, flower girl, who begs on the street for money. She has independence, as she takes care of herself, but she seems as if she couldn't make a decision for herself. She seems to waver on her opinion, and be easily tempted with small things, like chocolates. (although, to be honest, I can understand that. Chocolates would definitely tempt me too.) But as the play proceeds on, Eliza learns how to grow a backbone. She is no longer easily swayed by the manipulative Henry Higgins, and outright refuses to return to him. She makes her own decisions and sticks with them, and becomes truly free and independent.
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