Literature is more than a form of entertainment. Even more than a reflection of the society. It happens to be one of the most powerful tools to influence the mindsets of people.

A reader has the capability to live a thousand lives, experience the bliss and tragedies, travel the world and feel the essence of adventure, all while living a single life. The true beauty of reading comes when you realize how every word, every metaphor affects different people in a unique manner of ways.

One such character to affect my mind and soul was Eliza Doolittle from the play Pygmalion.

The dimensions of play are simple, a huffy Professor, overly confident of his abilities, takes up the task to make a simple, rowdy, ill-mannered flower girl into a high-class lady through the power of phonetics for a bet with his friend.

The transformation is awe inspiring and indeed, he wins the bet. But the story goes beyond that.

Look at the transformation with your own eyes first.

https://youtu.be/fQo34bVcALA

Yes, Eliza has her priorities sorted. Chocolates first.

Eliza, though, doesn't just transform physically and pronunciation-wise, but her true transformation is of her intellect.

Her dilemma is she could not go back to being a flower girl now, she would not be accepted there, and she had no alms or resources to live the life of a lady.

Professor Higgins, very much like the Greek sculptor, Pygmalion carves her to his preferences, and the question rises, what will happen to this sculpture when it comes to life?

This made me wonder, are women today truly independent? Or trapped in their own archetypes...

Especially Eliza's dialogue, "What is to be of me?" hits me hard.

What is to be of me now that I am living life as the society expects me to be? What is to be of me now that I have carved myself to your preferences? What is to be of me now that I have forgotten what I used to be? What is to be of me now that I have lost sight of what I aspired to be?

This made me write this poem. Inspired by Eliza:

What is my worth?

Contemplating since birth

Am I truly independent?

Am I truly my own person?

Or am I lost chasing,

Your definition of perfection?

Skinny but not a stick

Tall but not towering

Curvy but not too curvaceous

Big bosomed but not unflatteringly so

Fashionable but not a fashionista

Not an airhead but clever,

Clever but not cleverer, either

Silent but not garrulous

Caring but not clingy

Practical but loving

I did everything you said

Spoke the words you taught

Walked like you wanted

Dressed the way you desired

But you're not happy

Something is still missing

So, what is to be of me?

I am a good girl, I am

But I am not enough, am I?

Eliza shows me a reflection of myself. One might say that she was a weak character, to change herself for the approval of some, or as her actual intention was to get a job in a flower shop, instead of living in the slums she came from. But she isn't. She wanted to evolve herself, be better. And as the wind blew, she carved herself. But aren't we the same?

Are we doing something for the sake of others? Or not doing it because someone expects us to do it?

For example, what I find ironic is even the term "feminist" which was supposed to stand for equality and the freedom of choice for women has somehow become to live on the whims of patriarchal society.

As much as I try to ignore the fact, there is a section of women who have taken the term feminist to mean that they need to do anything and everything that men ask to.

Check out this video for example:

https://youtu.be/OKDtncY0Rwk

But you know what? I am fine with it. If that's your calling, you have every right to do so. Why? Because I am a feminist and that is what feminism stands for. Doing what one wants to do.

So, why should be one section of women get to decide what other women should and shouldn't do?

Feminism is not just to remove the male oppression of women. A huge part of the feminist movement, or rather, the crux of the feminist movement is to actually, remove all sorts of oppression from women. And this oppression includes the oppression of other women, too.

Why be bound by someone else's definition of perfection?

Wear a Hijab, Niqab, Shorts, Skirts, sarees... anything you wish to and want to. It doesn't matter. That is the crux of feminism.

Once I read that, "The whole purpose of education is turn windows into mirrors." I think the same goes for literature. It makes us reflect on our own experiences. So, what is your reflection of this word? Do you think we are our own beings or living under the expectations and perceptions of the society? Do share your experiences.

I'll borrow my conclusion from Eliza herself: