Act 1: The play opens at Covent Garden under the portico of St. Paul's Church during a rainy evening. A diverse crowd, including socialites and flower sellers, has gathered to take shelter. Among them are Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, and Colonel Pickering, a fellow phonetics enthusiast. Higgins demonstrates his skill by accurately identifying people's places of origin based on their accents. He takes a particular interest in Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, whose strong accent and lack of proper speech make her stand out. Higgins boasts that he could transform Eliza into a duchess by teaching her to speak properly.

Act 2: The next day, Eliza arrives at Higgins's home, asking for speech lessons to improve her job prospects. Intrigued by the challenge, Higgins agrees to train her, with Pickering betting on his success. Despite Higgins's often insensitive and demanding methods, Eliza perseveres. During this period, her father, Alfred Doolittle, a dustman, visits Higgins to extract money but leaves satisfied with a small sum.

Act 3: Eliza's progress is put to the test at the home of Higgins's mother, where she is introduced to high society. Despite initial nerves, her impeccable speech impresses the guests. However, her inappropriate choice of conversational topics exposes her working-class roots, causing amusement and confusion.

Act 4: Having successfully passed as a lady at an embassy ball, Eliza returns to Higgins's home. Despite the external success, she feels dehumanized and unappreciated by Higgins, who sees her transformation as merely a professional achievement. An argument ensues, and Eliza, feeling lost and betrayed, leaves Higgins's house.

Act 5: Eliza seeks refuge with Mrs. Higgins. Alfred Doolittle, now reluctantly wealthy due to an unexpected inheritance, also visits. Higgins and Pickering arrive, anxious to find Eliza. A confrontation reveals Eliza's newfound independence and self-worth. Higgins, initially dismissive, begins to appreciate Eliza's transformation on a personal level. The play concludes ambiguously, with Eliza asserting her independence and refusing to be controlled by Higgins, leaving their future relationship open to interpretation.

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