Why are there so many references to "what is to become" of Eliza? Trace these references throughout the play. What broader concern for society might Shaw be expressing?
The first reference to “what is to become” of Eliza occurred when Higgins ordered Mrs. Pearce to take Eliza downstairs. Mrs. Pearce replied, “But whats to become of her? Is she to be paid anything? Do be sensible, sir” (Shaw 40, Act II). Higgins then wondered what Eliza would want with money; she would have clothes and food. Here, Shaw foreshadowed his point that appearance and speech might fool others into thinking Eliza was a duchess, but after the party, she would be left with only a pretty face and a pretty voice. She would never learn how a flower business is supposed to be run or how to manage money. Eliza would only have her image to sell. If Higgins refused to pay her, Eliza would never have money, and it would be almost impossible for her to remain in a higher class. A gentleman of a higher class would most likely not marry her because she would not be wealthy. However, she does luckily marry Freddy – a gentleman whose family lost their money. Another reference appeared when Pickering and Henry spoke to Mrs. Higgins. She asked if there was a problem with Eliza, and Henry said the problem was getting her to walk and talk like a duchess. Mrs. Higgins responded, “No, you two infinitely stupid male creatures: the problem of what is to be done with her afterwards.” Higgins claimed Eliza could do anything once her lessons were completed, but his mother replied, “The manners and habits that disqualify a fine lady from earning her own living without giving her a fine lady’s income! Is that what you mean?” (Shaw 85, Act III) This further exemplified the idea that Higgins must actually give Eliza life skills if she wants to work and earn a respectable amount of money. Higgins promised he would find her some “light employment,” but he is selfishly confident that his lessons will be enough to make Eliza successful. Shaw did this to convey his message that looks and speech are not enough to become successful in life. Since Eliza was not born into a wealthy family, the only way she could move up was through employment. Finally, Eliza herself questioned several times what would happen to her as she argued with Higgins. After Henry called her a “creature,” Eliza tried to claw his face, and she sobbed, “Whats to be come of me? Whats to become of me?” (Shaw 97, Act IV) Henry claimed it did not matter, and Eliza grew furious over his inconsideration for her emotions. Eliza was afraid of returning to Drury Lane because her old clothes were burned and her new clothes would most likely be stolen. She would have gone back to a life of being kicked on the streets. Higgins stated Eliza was free to do whatever she desired, but she answered, “What am I fit for?...Where am I to go? What am I to do? Whats to become of me?” (Shaw 99, Act IV). Again, Shaw is claiming that Eliza was not given the proper skills to become prosperous in the real world. Her ultimate goal was to work in a flower shop, but Higgins never taught her how to take care of a business. Society might have been fooled by Eliza’s transformation, but she followed Higgins’s dream instead of her dream. Eliza and Freddy’s shop only became successful after they received financial advice from Colonel Pickering.