G. Bernard Shaw (G.B.S.)

I have often heard of the famous writer, "G.B.S.," for a long time, have wanted to read his work. I was pleased to see his name on the reading list for this summer. After our chat session last week, I read pages 1002-1071, which deal with this great author. The text starts off by claiming G.B.S. to be "one of the most celebrated and controversial writers of the twentieth century," (1002). After reading this and hearing how Dr. Glance and our entire class was impressed by him, I can safely say I was intrigued, to say the least.

My first thought was in disbelief that he was the same author who wrote "Pygmalion." I found the statement that "it is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman despise him," (1005) to be quite true. Having lived in Wales for four months, I knew a large number of English students. I learned quite quickly how to distinguish Welsh accents from one another, and how to distinguish English accents from one another. I could quickly tell who was from Cardiff (those who had a more "proper" English sounding accent) from those from Birmingham (those who had a more "valley" or poor accent). Englishmen judged one's education by their speach. They would call each other awful names and "knew" everything about someone simply by their accent! Shaw writes, "for the encouragement of people troubled with accents that cut them off from high employment..." (1007). This statement is quite true! There are several places in Georgia ALONE where I could not get a job due to my accent, and I am living in 2007! Shaw makes an excellent point, and I enjoyed reading Pygmalion because it really hit home with me.

For instance, Shaw writes:
HIGGINS: Do you mean that my language is improper?
MRS. HIGGINS: No, dearest: it would be quite proper - say on a canal barge; but it would not be proper for her at a garden party.
HIGGINS [deeply injured]: Well I must say -

In this conversational piece, Shaw points out how some accents and use of language would be considered "proper" in some places and not in others. In my opinion, Shaw seems to point out the connection between social class and accent and use of language.

Another part of the writing I liked was discussing having an ear for music. Much like having a "trained" ear for music, some people are looked up to for having a "trained ear for accents, dialects, and languages. He writes, "She can play thge piano quite beautifully. We have taken her to classical concerts and to music halls; and it's all the same to her..." (1041). At the same time, a second character says, "You know, she has the most extraordinary quickness of ear; just like a parrot. Ive tried her with every possible sort of sound that a human can make - Continental dialects, African dialectsk, Hottentot clicks, things it took me years to get a hold of..." (1041). I thought Shaw did an outstanding job in this writing. I was taken back by the profoundness of his work. Like previously mentioned, having an extremely southern accent, Pygmalion really hit home for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.