Doolittle suddenly encounters money and is thrust into upper class society. Doolittle receives a share in a trust and is required to lecture for "three thousand a year." Doolittle freely accepts the financial gain but soon realizes the social obligations that accompany it. Doolittle says, "I have to live for others and not myself." Individuals who seek to take advantage of his newfound wealth surround him. Doolittle believes that "everybody touches me for money." Doolittle sights one example of how individuals with money are treated better than those without money. Before he had money doctors would "shove" him out of the hospitals. Once the doctors realize Doolittle has money they "can't live unless they looks after me twice a day." Doolittle, who retains the personality of a Stokes 3 member of the lower class, is upset because people are using him for money. Doolittle feels his is now "expected to provide for everyone." Doolittle says he "was happy before" he got the money. Doolittle, who is propelled into the upper class, recognizes people are using him. He wishes and strives to remain the same person he was before he encountered money.
Doolittle's dislike of "middle class morality", appreciation of and the freedom that accompanies his lower social status, and his eventual climb into the upper class presents his desire to remain in "undeserving poverty." Doolittle, a character who emerges financially from poverty to being rich, strives to maintain his lower class status and the way of life they accompanied this status. Shaw, by using Doolittle, successfully presents a character that is happy with and comes to appreciate his status in the lower class society and wishes to remain in that social class.
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