Essay - Myths and Fables in 'Pygmalion' and 'Sexing the Cherry' This...

Myths and Fables in "Pygmalion" ***** "Sexing the Cherry"

***** paper discusses the use of myths and fables in the two books, 'Pygmalion' and 'Sexing ***** cherry' written by George Bernard Shaw ***** Jeanette Winterson respectively. While Shaw's play is inspired by the Greek myth of a talented sculptor Pygmalion, Winterson has *****d the famous fable of twelve dancing princesses as just one part of her novel and hasn't based her story entirely on it. The two have however twisted the stories to suit the modern social and cultural norms.

MYTHS IN 'PYGMALION' AND 'SEXING THE CHERRY'

***** two ***** namely 'Pygmali*****' and 'Sexing the Cherry' are widely known for their use of ***** and ***** in the plot structure and ***** development. While Pygmalion is entirely ***** on a ***** mythologic*****l figure by ***** same name, 'Sexing the ***** only takes extracts from famous fairy tales, myths and fables and interweaves them into the basic storyline. The books ***** however not used the old stories in their original form but have tw*****ted them to fit ***** contemporary literary culture. While we discuss the myths that ***** been used by ***** two authors, it is important to understand that the style of ***** authors and ***** employment ***** myths in *****ir stories differ starkly. While ***** Bernard Shaw who was relatively classical ***** his approach gave a more modern and sound touch to mythology and has based his entire play on the Greek myth of Pygmalion, ***** Winterson's style is not very easy to grasp because she moves ***** one time period to ano*****r every now and then and gives a surreal touch to the ***** making them appear just that--myths and fables. Therefore though both have twisted the tales ***** serve the true purpose of their writings, it is the Bernard Shaw's technique that one can more easily relate too.

***** Shaw ***** based his story on the famous mythological figure, Pygmali***** who was a confirmed bachelor and felt that there was no woman on earth who could spark ***** interest. In his attempt to create a perfect wom*****n, he creates a statue and works hard to turn it ***** the most w*****derful specimen ***** beauty ever produced ***** any*****. But unfortunately in ***** process he falls ***** love w*****h the ***** but the trouble is that ***** ***** is naturally one-sided, as the sculpture can*****t respond. ***** when Pygmalion begs Aphrodite for a wife as perfect as his creation, the former decides ***** blow life into ***** figure. Pygmalion then marries Galatea, a name he had earlier given to his statue and like in any other traditional love story t***** couple too lives happily ever after.

Shaw ***** the story somewhat ***** introduced new meaning ***** the word statue and creation and also ***** ***** sense ***** wisdom to the ***** epitome of beauty and grace known as Eliza in his play. In the beg*****ning of ***** play Eliza happens to be an ordinary flo*****r girl ***** is