The Extent Contextual Attitudes and Values Regarding Gender and Class are Maintained or Altered in Pygmalion and Pretty Women Jennifer Liu 11th Grade

Contextual attitudes and values regarding gender and class in Pretty Woman (1990), directed by Garry Marshall, and Pygmalion (1913), written by George Bernard Shaw, are predominantly maintained throughout both texts, although minor adaptions have been made to preserve contextual relativity. The power inequality in relation to gender is clearly existent in both texts, whilst first and third wave feminism have influenced the individual storylines differently. Class mobility proved to be more challenging during the Victorian period; however, critical assessment of class stratification remained a sustained notion throughout the novel and the play.

Throughout Pretty Woman and Pygmalion, traditional gender hierarchies are sustained. Both explore the transformation of a poor underclass woman through the aid of a wealthy upper-class man. In Pretty Woman, Vivian relies on Edward for her income and her new, lavish lifestyle. In the scene where Vivian calls Kit and divulges to her the offer she’s accepted, the cross cutting between Vivian in the hotel suite and Kit in their apartment displays visually the change Vivian has already undergone through her connection with Edward. The mis-en-scene in Kit’s room is comprised of...