11 reasons why Mr Higgins from My Fair Lady is extremely problematic
29 March 2018, 11:41 | Updated: 29 March 2018, 11:50
He’s the snootiest character in a Lerner and Loewe musical who everyone knows to be a massive misogynist - but somehow, he manages to end up with the leading lady anyway. Here’s exactly why we will never like Henry Higgins.
It’s one of the most popular musicals ever written, but we have some things to say about its leading man...
1. He dislikes women for no particular reason
Only if you learn to use yours...
2. He’s a total classist
Potato, potahto, Henry.
3. He thinks he’s the business
PAHA! Sure, whatever you say.
4. He treats Eliza like a project
Pls, she has feelings too.
5. He’s a rubbish teacher
(We’re just saying, he could’ve picked a more interesting phrase for her to repeat…)
6. As soon as his ‘project’ is complete, he completely ignores her
He-llllooooo, still here Henry…
7. Also, he and his old pal Pickering take all the credit for her ‘achievement’
Oh yeah, cheers for the acknowledgement.
8. Instead of apologising for treating her like dirt, he patronises her instead
Perfectly reasonable reaction from Eliza, IMO.
9. His ‘declaration of love’ song is the least romantic thing ever
Yay for true love!
10. But we could cope with… most of that. After all, there wasn't a huge amount of gender equality in the 1910s. But then Eliza comes back to him.
Why Eliza, why?? *offstage voice* the patriarchy that's why
11. And she patiently smiles at his completely unreasonable grumble about his slippers.
Not very ‘loverly’, Henry, not very ‘loverly’ at all...
HOWEVER, there is one redeeming feature: he has some of the funniest songs
And he doesn't even realise he's the butt of the joke…
