DECIPHERING THE FAIRYTALE: DECONSTRUCTION OF ROMANCE THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF SELF IN PYGMALION

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines Eliza’s character in Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion and her construction of self through the deconstruction of romance in the play. Methodology: This research is a qualitative study applying the content analysis method. A qualitative research design was adopted to investigate and look at various traits of the main character and her evolution to become an independent, thinking, and opinionated individual towards the end. The research data in this paper is drawn from two primary sources: literary books and articles. Main Findings: The analysis of the text unravels the transformation of the character and her eventual emancipation from the shackles of the expected programmed behavior. Applications: This paper can be used by literary scholars, and students. Novelty/Originality: In the past, many researchers have contributed articles on the thematic analysis of Pygmalion, while this paper approached the play from both linguistic and thematic viewpoints and provided insights for other researchers in the field. The insights based on language analysis of Pygmalion presented in this paper can be a model for other researchers in the interdisciplinary fields of language and literature to apply similar approaches to analyze literary texts.