The Archetype of The Prostitute With a Heart of Gold
I chose the archetype “The prostitute with a heart of gold”.
An archetype is defined as a universal idea that can take
many forms, appearing “spontaneously, at any time, at any
place, and without any outside influence” (Pygmalion’s Word
Play, Carl Jung, p. 82). When present in the unconscious,
an archetype shapes thoughts, feelings, moods, speech, and
actions. The ‘prostitute with a heart of gold’ originated in
early Greek mythology as the story of Pygmalion. Next, a
more modern version called My Fair Lady was written and
performed in the 1950’s. Then in the 1980’s the movie Pretty
Woman came out, which has the same story line as the other
two, although it is a lot more modernized and the theme of a
‘prostitute with a heart of gold’ is much more evident than
in of its predecessors. Although ‘the oldest profession’ was
just as large a factor in society in 1912 when George
Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion play was released as it is today,
it was talked about much less freely and the idea of
reforming street girl was not as feasible as it is today.
“My Fair Lady” was one of the first versions of a poor
street girl metamorphasizing into an elegant, proper lady.
Pretty Woman can closely trace its roots back to “My Fair
Lady,” because both women reform to a better life that they
never dreamed was possible, the most striking difference
being that Pretty Woman is a more modernized version and the
evidence of prostitution is much more evident.
In the story of Pygmalion, he wanted a wife, yet he saw
too much corruption in women and always doubted their true
motives. He was a very talented sculptor, and one day he
began sculpting an ivory maiden statue. No woman wa...
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...and
Richard Gere all each take the risk of helping these women,
and society could view them negatively for their involvement
with the lower class. Eliza and Julia take a big risk in
being stepped on and being ridiculed lower than they already
are compared to the men’s lifestyles. They are archetypal
heroes because they have strong character and are willing to
change. These women have the confidence and ability to
change and this shows society that again, anything is
possible. The only downfall was the verbal abuse both women
took from the elite class, as they were learning to adapt.
High society doesn’t appreciate or care for prostitutes, but
for everyone to be fooled and convinced of this new woman
shows their absurdity. A person has a heart of gold
regardless of their status even if it is not evident to the
naked eye.
Bibliography:
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...lf. The problem of how to survive no longer worries her. She struggles for her right to be cared for and to be loved and to live in a dignified way. When the former poor flower girl transforms into a strong-minded independent woman both externally and internally, even Higgins, the stubborn, arrogant scholar respects her heartily: "Now youre a tower of strength: a consort battle ship. You and I and Pickering will be three old bachelors together." Eliza now is regarded as equal to man. She can stand on her dignity as a true woman. The internal transformation is exactly what Bernard Shaw preaches. In this sense, the drama Pygmalion is a play of women's revolt.