The ending of the play is ambiguous in that the audience does not know whether Eliza marries Freddy or returns to live with Higgins. Why did Shaw write such an open ending? Cite evidence from Eliza’s closing speeches to indicate which choice you believe she makes.
The play ends with the scene in which Eliza and Higgins arguing about what is to happen. Eliza tells him that she is going to marry Freddy but Higgins disapproves. When Mrs. Higgins comes to tell Eliza that her carriage is there and ready, the play ends with an interesting conversation between Higgins and Eliza. Higgins says, “Oh, by the way Eliza, order a ham and Stilton cheese, will you? And buy me a pair of reindeer gloves, number eights, and a tie to match that new suit of mine. You can choose the color.” In response to his rude and demanding statement, Eliza says, “Number eights are too small for you if you want them lined with lamb’s wool. You have three new ties that you have forgotten in the drawer of your washstand. Colonel Pickering prefers double Gloucester to Stilton, and you don’t notice the difference. I telephoned Mrs. Pearce this morning not to forget the ham. What you are to do without me I cannot imagine.” With her reply, it is evident that Higgins needs her more than she does. Since she knows Higgins more than he knows himself, she is proving the point that he would be lost without her. In addition, it reveals that she cared about him throughout the entire process and paid attention to the little things in his life. Thus, despite his best efforts to belittle her by ordering her to do these things, she was able to make a comeback by proving him wrong and telling him that everything is in place.
The play ends with the scene in which Eliza and Higgins arguing about what is to happen. Eliza tells him that she is going to marry Freddy but Higgins disapproves. When Mrs. Higgins comes to tell Eliza that her carriage is there and ready, the play ends with an interesting conversation between Higgins and Eliza. Higgins says, “Oh, by the way Eliza, order a ham and Stilton cheese, will you? And buy me a pair of reindeer gloves, number eights, and a tie to match that new suit of mine. You can choose the color.” In response to his rude and demanding statement, Eliza says, “Number eights are too small for you if you want them lined with lamb’s wool. You have three new ties that you have forgotten in the drawer of your washstand. Colonel Pickering prefers double Gloucester to Stilton, and you don’t notice the difference. I telephoned Mrs. Pearce this morning not to forget the ham. What you are to do without me I cannot imagine.” With her reply, it is evident that Higgins needs her more than she does. Since she knows Higgins more than he knows himself, she is proving the point that he would be lost without her. In addition, it reveals that she cared about him throughout the entire process and paid attention to the little things in his life. Thus, despite his best efforts to belittle her by ordering her to do these things, she was able to make a comeback by proving him wrong and telling him that everything is in place.
Through this, Shaw makes such an open and confusing ending. He leaves readers to wonder whether or not she returns to him or marries Freddy. By doing so, he can leave the decision up to the reader. Depending on the type of person, some readers might Eliza to end up with Higgins because they are hoping that he will change and confess to Eliza his real feelings. Also, they do not want her to waste her transformation by ending up with someone that is incapable of doing anything. Being the more optimistic group, they want to know that Eliza is in good hands and will not have to take care of such an immature and foolish man. Other readers might want Eliza to marry Freddy so that she can prove Higgins wrong and show to him that she doesn’t need him. In addition, those who want Eliza to marry Freddy might believe that Eliza doesn’t have to return the favor to Higgins by being with him. With the ending scene, I was inclined to the idea that Eliza was going to marry Freddy, as stated in the sequel. The reason being is because Shaw ends with Higgins saying, “She is going to marry Freddy! Ha ha! Freddy! Freddy!!” With this, Shaw not only ends the scene with the truth but also highlights the fact that Higgins is slightly in denial. Also, with Eliza saying, “What you are to do without me I cannot imagine,” shows that Eliza wants to prove to Higgins that she is independent. She does this in the sequel by opening up her own flower shop and taking care of Freddy.