Eliza Doolittle
undergoes various transformations as she is changed from a poor, Cockney, downtrodden flower
girl to a lady who is desired by men of social standing.This transformation occurs under the
tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins, a linguist, with the help of his friend and fellow
linguist, Colonel Pickering. The wager that Higgins makes with Pickering begins Eliza's changes
at the onset of the play: "Well, sir, in three months I could pass that girl off as a
duchess at an ambassadors garden party" (act 1).
When she shows up the
next day, Higgins describes her as "so deliciously lowso horribly dirty" (act 2).
Eliza then begins the metamorphosis from an uneducated street vendor to a lady, starting with
her physical appearance and language, and ending with self-realization. Eliza's first
transformation entails learning how to speak proper English and acting like a lady. When Freddy
meets her later on in the play, he is captivated by Eliza even though her transformation is
still superficial and not complete.
However, the largest transformation
occurs towards the end of the play when Eliza tells Pickering, "The difference between a
lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how shes treated" (act 5). She realizes
her self-worth even if it means giving up Higgins because he affirms that he will give her no
more than "good fellowship." Eliza has gained self-acceptance and realizes that she
cannot accept any less than what she deserves from Higgins: "If I cant have kindness, Ill
have independence" (act 5). Eliza becomes a strong, secure woman in her own
right.
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