The ending of the play is ambiguous in that the audience does not know whether Eliza marries Freddy or returns to live with Higgins. Why did Shaw write such an open ending? Cite evidence from Eliza's closing speeches to indicate which choice you believe she makes.
Shaw wrote such an open ending because he was a realist. His goal was not to have Galatea happily marry her Pygmalion because he knew, in reality, that life was not that simple. Higgins was responsible for transforming Eliza from a flower girl into a duchess and finally into a woman with opinions of her own. After experiencing Higgins’ harsh scrutiny and demanding behavior, Eliza decided she did not want to permanently be around him. If she married Higgins, she would only have a life that revolved around fetching his slippers and keeping track of his appointments. Eliza had been in a life of servitude as a flower girl on the streets, and she wanted to break free of the chains that society put on her. She wanted to become successful on her own. Shaw left it to the reader to determine Eliza's choice based on her final argument with Higgins. From the points she made, it was obvious that she would choose to marry Freddy Eynsford Hill. “Freddy Hill writes to me twice and three times a day, sheets and sheets...And if he's weak and poor and wants me, maybe he'd make me happier than my betters that bully me and dont want me” (Shaw 128-129, Act V). Freddy proved to Eliza that he sincerely loved her. Eliza believed every girl had the right to be loved for who she was, no matter the social class that claimed her. This exemplified Eliza’s altruistic nature because she was not interested in marrying for money with her new appearance. Similar to her father, Eliza yearned to be with someone who would make her smile and enjoy her company. She did not receive this feeling from Higgins; he claimed he was quickly bored from teaching Eliza and glad that his “experiment” with her was over. “I want a little kindness...I came to care for you; not to want you to make love to me, and not forgetting the difference between us, but more friendly like” (Shaw 129, Act V). Here, Eliza’s honesty with Higgins reveled she only wanted to be his companion. The reader also has to consider the fact that Higgins was about twenty years older than Eliza. While it was not uncommon for young girls to be married off to older gentleman for financial reasons, Eliza wanted someone closer to her age who could understand her experiences and appreciate her. Freddy’s family lost their money, and he knew what it felt like to face rejection from society. He also told Eliza that she had a kind soul and boosted her self-esteem. Most importantly, Freddy saved Eliza from committing suicide. She was about to drown herself in the nearby river after Higgins scorned her for being “a fool” and a “heartless guttersnipe.” Eliza felt she had nowhere to go. If she returned to Drury Lane, she could not wear her old clothes because they were burned, and she would be stolen from on the streets. If she tried to enter the middle class, she was afraid she would not have the skills necessary to earn a decent living. However, Freddy gave her words of encouragement and saved her life. “Freddy loves me: that makes him king enough for me” (Shaw 131, Act V). From this, the reader can rightfully conclude that Eliza decided to marry Freddy for his compassion.
Shaw wrote such an open ending because he was a realist. His goal was not to have Galatea happily marry her Pygmalion because he knew, in reality, that life was not that simple. Higgins was responsible for transforming Eliza from a flower girl into a duchess and finally into a woman with opinions of her own. After experiencing Higgins’ harsh scrutiny and demanding behavior, Eliza decided she did not want to permanently be around him. If she married Higgins, she would only have a life that revolved around fetching his slippers and keeping track of his appointments. Eliza had been in a life of servitude as a flower girl on the streets, and she wanted to break free of the chains that society put on her. She wanted to become successful on her own. Shaw left it to the reader to determine Eliza's choice based on her final argument with Higgins. From the points she made, it was obvious that she would choose to marry Freddy Eynsford Hill. “Freddy Hill writes to me twice and three times a day, sheets and sheets...And if he's weak and poor and wants me, maybe he'd make me happier than my betters that bully me and dont want me” (Shaw 128-129, Act V). Freddy proved to Eliza that he sincerely loved her. Eliza believed every girl had the right to be loved for who she was, no matter the social class that claimed her. This exemplified Eliza’s altruistic nature because she was not interested in marrying for money with her new appearance. Similar to her father, Eliza yearned to be with someone who would make her smile and enjoy her company. She did not receive this feeling from Higgins; he claimed he was quickly bored from teaching Eliza and glad that his “experiment” with her was over. “I want a little kindness...I came to care for you; not to want you to make love to me, and not forgetting the difference between us, but more friendly like” (Shaw 129, Act V). Here, Eliza’s honesty with Higgins reveled she only wanted to be his companion. The reader also has to consider the fact that Higgins was about twenty years older than Eliza. While it was not uncommon for young girls to be married off to older gentleman for financial reasons, Eliza wanted someone closer to her age who could understand her experiences and appreciate her. Freddy’s family lost their money, and he knew what it felt like to face rejection from society. He also told Eliza that she had a kind soul and boosted her self-esteem. Most importantly, Freddy saved Eliza from committing suicide. She was about to drown herself in the nearby river after Higgins scorned her for being “a fool” and a “heartless guttersnipe.” Eliza felt she had nowhere to go. If she returned to Drury Lane, she could not wear her old clothes because they were burned, and she would be stolen from on the streets. If she tried to enter the middle class, she was afraid she would not have the skills necessary to earn a decent living. However, Freddy gave her words of encouragement and saved her life. “Freddy loves me: that makes him king enough for me” (Shaw 131, Act V). From this, the reader can rightfully conclude that Eliza decided to marry Freddy for his compassion.