Pygmalion is a romantic comedy play. The audience is meant to be sympathetic to the characters but can also laugh at the absurdity of their actions and desires. A comedic mood is created by the way that the plot subverts social norms and customs. Eliza’s transformation from young and uneducated lower-class flower vendor to exemplary lady is the subject of humor and more serious contemplation. Her rise into the upper classes allows the play to make fun of how other characters behave and interact with each other. The play therefore uses humor to comment on societal norms.
However, the play’s comedic mood and romantic atmosphere are paired with a more serious side. Characters voice their perspectives on issues of class and gender, thereby calling attention to the conflicts of their time. Mrs. Higgins is the primary example of this; as an advocate for Eliza and for women generally, she creates moments where comedy and romance are secondary to social commentary and criticism. The contrast of comedy and criticism pulls the audience into the story. They are able to laugh at the play, and they are engaged in the relationships between its primary characters, but cannot walk away without absorbing some of the plot’s more serious points.
The romantic aspect of the play is less clear. Though Eliza and Mr. Higgins have a contentious and potentially romantic relationship, the ending leaves their future unclear. The relationship between Eliza and Freddy isn’t featured to the same degree. The play’s romance is therefore not connected to a single pair of characters who find themselves in a relationship by its end. Instead, Eliza’s relationship with herself is transformed, as she grows to respect herself and invest in her future in society.
