What is the central concern of the play Pygmalion? [British Drama]

The central concern of the play "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw is the issue of social class and linguistic prejudice in Edwardian England. The play centers around the transformation of a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a sophisticated young woman through the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins, a linguist and phonetician.

Shaw uses the play to explore the way in which language and speech patterns are closely tied to social class and how they can be used to reinforce or challenge class-based prejudices. The transformation of Eliza serves as a critique of the rigid social hierarchies and linguistic snobbery of Edwardian England, and raises questions about the relationship between language, identity, and social mobility.

In addition to its focus on social class, "Pygmalion" is also a character study of the two central figures: Eliza and Higgins. Through their interactions and development, the play raises questions about the nature of personal growth, the value of education, and the limits of human agency.

In conclusion, the central concern of "Pygmalion" is the issue of social class and linguistic prejudice in Edwardian England, and the play uses the transformation of Eliza Doolittle to explore questions about language, identity, social mobility, personal growth, education, and human agency.