So far, I am really enjoying this play! Bernard Shaw has created characters that are interesting enough to keep me interested, but they also seem like some "everyday" kind of people that come from different walks of life. Well, everyday kind of people that take in other people to teach them how to act upper class. However, the framework of this play is one that we see in many other pieces of literature and even in some recent popular culture adaptations such as "She's All That" and even in an episode of Family Guy. Obviously, it is a storyline that is easily accepted by audiences everywhere.
What I find the most interesting about the play so far is the role of dialect. Not necessarily language, but the hundreds of different English dialects. More specifically, I find the roles and associations of these dialects interesting. For example, Eliza cannot even have a job much higher than a flower girl on the street because of the way she speaks. The only way she can even dream of moving up in the world is by learning how to speak "properly." This was hard for me to understand because in America it is not like that at all. The only connection I could make is that sometimes Americans assume people with a southern accent are dumb or that people with a northern accent are mean (among other, more ridiculous assumptions). I was talking to my friend from England, and she said that it's still the same! That you can assume so many things about people just because of the way they speak. It blew my mind. But I also think it's really interesting, and I love that they whole play is based around such a concept.
Savannah,
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you and your thoughts/feelings towards the whole language aspect of the play. I also found it fascinating that just because Eliza spoke in a certain way, she can't even begin thinking about any other job than a street merchant flower girl.
Although, if you look at this concept in today's society, yes even America, it still holds true. You aren't going to be hired as a CEO of a company if you are not well spoken. If you are unable to communicate effectively, your dreams of higher job positions are definitely limited.
I guess, when I really think about it, what your parents say is right. You must go to school and become educated, and we can't argue that we don't learn a lot of our communication skills from school, so you can move up in the real world of jobs.
A little modern for this play, I know, but it is something to think about.
At Valdosta State University, there was a large British population. Since, most of the students were Southerners, we had a joke. An Englishman could say something stupid and sound smart, while a Southerner could say something smart and sound stupid.
ReplyDeleteTroy,
ReplyDeleteThat is really funny and very true (sadly), haha.
Elizabeth,
I agree that you have to be well-spoken and educated to hold higher level position, but what I was saying (which I guess didn't really come out right, haha, sorry) is that you could be very well educated and well-spoken AND have a southern accent and get the job (a lot of "ands" in that one). It doesn't really matter what you sound like, as long as it sounds good. Does that make sense? Sorry if I was a bit confusing :)
Troy, that's a great saying! A friend of mine and I were discussing accents at lunch today and lamenting the fact that no current Hollywood actors speak like Katherine Hepburn or Cary Grant (yes, I know he was British!). Somehow their speech and manner conveyed a sophistication not seen in today's films.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add that while being well-educated and well-spoken (both in accent and vocabulary) are necessary for professional success, good manners and proper etiquette play an important part in advancing not only your social life but also your career. Let's see how Eliza incorporates social graces into her demeanor!