Transformations of Identity: Exploring the Analogy Between Pygmalion and the Medical Model of Disability

This paper establishes a nuanced analogy between Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion and the Medical Model of Disability, a prominent framework in Disability Studies that conceptualizes disability as an individual deficit requiring correction. The Medical Model stands in contrast to the Social Model of Disability, which emphasizes the societal and cultural constructs that contribute to the marginalization of individuals with disabilities. By examining the thematic parallels between Eliza Doolittle's transformation from an ordinary flower girl to a "lady" and the expectations placed on individuals with disabilities to conform to societal norms, this analysis highlights the inherent demand for transformation within both narratives. It critiques the underlying ideologies of the Medical Model while advocating for a broader understanding of identity and capability. Ultimately, this paper argues that both Pygmalion and the Medical Model reflect societal pressures to redefine and normalize individuals, urging a re-examination of how we perceive and respond to disability in contemporary discourse.