The power of language is one of the themes present in Bernard Shaw's
             play, Pygmalion. Through the radical transformation of Eliza, Shaw is
             demonstrating not only the importance of language but he is also stating
             that speech was pivotal in regards to social distinctions. However, he
             also indicates that while proper speech was a necessity for upward
             mobility, proper manners were necessary as well.
             To emphasize the clash between social distinctions, Shaw contrasts
             different aspects of class through how characters speak and dress. For
             instance, Doolittle is visits Higgins and Pickering dressed as a "dustman"
             (130), who has a "professional flavor of dust about him" (133).
             Additionally, Higgins is "overwhelmed by the proximity" of Doolittle. Shaw
             further reinforces the distinctions between classes by having Doolittle
             admit that he is "One of the undeserving poor" (134). He is also well
             aware of the fact that even though he has needs just as everyone else, he
             is of lower-class status and is therefore undeserving" (134).
             Additionally, when Eliza appears before her father, cleaned up and dressed
             exquisitely, he does not recognize her. These scenes allow Shaw to
             establish where Eliza comes from and therefore sets the stage for her
             Certainly, language is essential for one to achieve recognition in upper
             class Victorian England. Higgins' task is daunting indeed, as Shaw reveals
             a portion of Eliza's first speech lesson. When reciting her alphabet, her
             accent makes her words almost unintelligible. For example, she says,
             "Ahyee, Be-yee, Ce-yee" (140). Higgins instructs her, "Put your tongue
             forward until it squeezes against the top of your lower teeth" (140). This
             scene is significant because it illustrates how the upper class was
             obsessed with trivial matters, such as inflection and the placement of the
             With this knowledge, we can understand how the upper class
             ...