Pygmalion Post 1

Eliza Doolittle attempting to sell flowers.

I can relate to Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower girl.  Henry Higgins, the phoneticist, portrays my dad and other close members of my family who expect perfection without any flaws and who do not consider the accomplishments but dwell on the imperfections when I don’t exceed higher than standard expectations.  As the Vice President of the Rossakatum 4-H Club, as member of Delmar’s National Junior Honor Society, as a three-sport athlete who participates in JV football, wrestling, and JV lacrosse, and as an "A+" student at Delmar High School; I am a very busy, young man who deals with a lot of stress.  I understand that my father has to run my family farm business, Vincent Farms; cope with the stress of my step-sister, Haley, graduating from the University of Delaware; find a job for my oldest brother, Joshua, who just graduated from Clemson University; moving my brother Noah into his new house at Clemson for his Junior year at Clemson; and parenting my brother, Jonah, who is going into his Junior year at Delmar High School.   All I ask for is a small recognition for exceeding expectations numerous times and not condemning me when I cannot fit small events into my busy schedule.  I consider myself responsible and mature for my age, and I do not expect prizes for my achievements, rather no offensive remarks when I slightly do not fulfill the ideal imagination of what my father believes I should be.  So I can relate to Eliza Doolittle when she surpassed the traditional time it takes for a participant to learn proper and correct speech.  Henry Higgins does not appreciate Eliza’s dedication and effort that she has committed to learning and winning Henry Higgins’ bet by spending hours learning how to speak, walk, and dress.  While still at the party, she is immediately forgotten and not appreciated for what she has done.  She is like a pawn in a chess game and quickly discarded once Higgins’ bet is won. 

Eliza Doolittle felt used when she was discarded once she won Higgins' bet.

I can connect to her feelings and attitude for going on a rampage of throwing Henry’s sandals at him.  I too blow up in a rage of temper when I get frustrated and overwhelmed in the face of little appreciation for all that I do to succeed.

Eliza Doolittle's transformation from the flower girl to a pretend duchess.