On the Innovative Feminism in George Bernard Shaw's The Pygmalion

Abstract

George Bernard Shaw’ Pygmalion (1912) is based on the fairy tale of Pygmalion and adds new connotations, reflected and witnessed the transformation process of the Industrial Revolution, which laid the foundation for modern feminist theory. This representative play depicts Eliza’s image of women’s success starting from low education and economic status, attracting attention to the situation of poor women. Bernard Shaw’s female characters can not only start to choose their own careers in their career independently and bravely, but more importantly, they have their own ideas and propositions, and even the pursuit of their own values; They shows the process of women's status from oppression to liberation during the Industrial Revolution. Shaw looked on women's spiritual independence and advocated that women should have the same educational rights and career development opportunities as men. At the same time, he opposed the sanctification and idealization of women, and instead called for "perfect humanity" to replace the past concept of "perfect women".................