Pygmalion: A Cultural Capital Study

Pygmalion: A Cultural Capital Study

The present study attempts to analyze George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion based on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu and applied his theories that lead to a better understanding of the concepts of this play. Shaw’s ideology focuses mainly on the ways the differences exist among various classes in society. In his plays, he criticizes the British system of education and calls it corrupt. The present play of Shaw portrays a lower-class girl named Eliza who is trying to gain a higher position in society. The findings show that Shaw intends for his play to reflect the connection between language and identity it creates. He connects this very education to the idea of class in society.