As I reread Shaw's Pygmalion for the upcoming essay, I came to notice the numerous occasions of pure happenstance that I believe attribute to the play's comedic effect. Instances which normally would not take place, without some form of divine intervention, seem to occur daily in this story. For example Pickering and Higgins just happen to come across each other, while sheltering themselves from the rain on each one's way to meet the other. This chance meeting might drive some readers crazy, but I interpret it as part of Shaw's humor. The second example occurs outside the scope of the story. The readers are told of it through Mr. Doolittle, has he recounts how he came to know Eliza was at Higgins's house. Mr. Doolittle just happens to run into the boy Eliza had sent to retrieve her luggage. When one stops and thinks of how unlikely this is to actually happen, they start to see the genius that is Shaw's humor. Again Shaw dabbles with serendipity when he reunites the main characters from the first scene several months later in Mrs. Higgins' house. All these circumstantial events are meant to enhance the comedic value of the play, and serve to add a little whimsy to an already funny play. Some readers may become frustrated with the all too coincidental way the story pans out, believing (and rightfully so) that this sort of occurrence would never transpire in the real world, and could only happen in a play. The fortuitous way in which the play begins and ends, causes some readers to feel unattached, as the story is too circumstantial to be true. But, I believe Shaw deliberately included the numerous coincidences with the intent to create a scenario that was so far-fetched, that it became funny. When reading Pygmalion, I find myself muttering "of course that happens" countless times and chuckling along at each eccentric twist. At the stories end, Mr. Doolittle was a rich member of the working upper-class. This is a blatant twist in the storyline intended soley to increase the comedic effect of the story. I believe Pygmalion is hysterical, mainly because most of the story is improbable!
I agree with you, Conor. Some may find the story to be a drama because they feel that the treatment towards Eliza is downright wrong. Higgins may often sound rude, but his expressions and behavior make it funny. He calls Eliza ugly when she cries and tells her she is somewhat attractive at times. I thought that was funny because he insulted and complimented her at the same time. Perhaps we can consider it to be a comedy-drama. Comedy-dramas are never strictly funny or sad. They are by definition a combination of both. Pygmalion is funny when Higgins makes rude comments and calls Eliza a “guttersnipe” or that she should die for speaking poorly. Then I find the drama when Eliza is upset with Higgins for not congratulating her. With real emotions, she worries about what will become of her. She does not know if she will be on the streets again or if she really can succeed. Yet, I find more comedy earlier in the play. It is hilarious when Eliza went on her first outing with her new “proper” speech. She said that influenza “done her aunt in.” All I could imagine was the facial expressions of the other characters’ reactions to Eliza’s phrase. They ask her what she means out of utter confusion. The fact that these proper people find Eliza’s language to be odd is funny. They are not sure how to respond. The scene made me imagine something ridiculous. Therefore, I cannot deny that the play is a comedy if not a comedy-drama.
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