Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, while based on the same source material, have different endings that reflect the themes and tones of their respective mediums.
Pygmalion Ending
In George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, the ending is more ambiguous and open to interpretation. Eliza Doolittle, after being transformed from a flower girl into a refined lady, asserts her independence. She leaves Professor Henry Higgins, the man who trained her, and decides to marry Freddy Eynsford-Hill. The play ends with Eliza and Freddy opening a flower shop together, and Eliza maintaining her independence. Shaw’s ending emphasizes Eliza’s growth and self-determination, challenging traditional gender roles.
My Fair Lady Ending
In the musical My Fair Lady, the ending is more romantic and conventional. After Eliza leaves Higgins, she returns to him, and the musical ends with the implication that they will be together. This ending is more in line with the expectations of a romantic musical, providing a satisfying conclusion for the audience. However, it diverges from Shaw’s original intent, which was to highlight Eliza’s independence rather than her romantic involvement with Higgins.
Both endings reflect the different intentions of their creators: Shaw’s play focuses on social commentary and personal growth, while the musical leans towards romance and entertainment.