Questions and Answers
Why does Clara call her brother a selfish pig?
Because he never found a cab while it was raining. All the cabs were taken.
Who did the flower girl think the notetaker was?
A cop
What is a bloke?
A man
Why is Clara complaining in Act 1?
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How does Freddy meet Liza (the flower girl)?
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What does Freddy's mother pay Liza (the flower girl) for?
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How much did Mother pay Liza (the flower girl) for the flowers?
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Why is Henry Higgins taking notes?
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Why didn't Mother want to take any change from Liza?
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Where did Act 1 take place?
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Who thinks he can turn Liza into a duchess or lady?
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Professor Henry Higgins was the Professor of?
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What does 'the cabs were all engaged' mean?
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What is a copper's nark?
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Where did Henry Higgins (the notetaker) say Liza was from?
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Who is the gentleman?
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Who is the author of Pygmalion?
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What is the weather like during the opening scene?
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What is Henry Higgins able to discern by listening to people speak?
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How does Henry Higgins define phonetics?
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What does Henry Higgins bet he can transform the flower girl into?
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Where do Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering decide to go after recognizing each other?
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What is the purpose of the rain shower in the play?
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What does the sound ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-ow symbolize about the flower girl?
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What important information does the notetaker give away that the flower girl hears?
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Why does Henry Higgins give pocket change to the flower girl?
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What does Eliza immediately do with the money Henry Higgins gives her?
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When Eliza says 'what's that you say?' to Henry Higgins, what is she talking about?
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What kind of dialect does Eliza speak?
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What is a tanner?
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What does the flower girl Eliza think she is being accused of while selling her flowers?
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What does Eliza's room say about her?
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What do Higgins and Pickering have in common?
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What does the notetaker brag about what he could do for the flower girl within 3 months?
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What is the daughter's name?
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The play's title is an allusion to?
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In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a Cypriot king who was what?
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Study Notes
Characters and Relationships
- Clara is portrayed as demanding and critical, calling her brother a "selfish pig" due to frustrations about not finding a cab.
- Liza, the flower girl, encounters Freddy when he accidentally bumps into her, resulting in her flowers being scattered.
- Henry Higgins, a phonetics professor, believes he can transform Liza into a duchess.
Plot Points and Settings
- The opening scene takes place in front of St. Paul's Church in London during a thunderstorm, illustrating a sense of chaos and urgency.
- The rainy weather serves to bring characters of different social classes together in one location, setting the stage for their interactions.
Themes and Concepts
- Higgins takes notes to analyze people's accents and deduce their origins within a six-mile radius.
- The concept of phonetics is central to Higgins' character, as he aims to manipulate speech patterns for social ascent.
Symbolism and Imagery
- Liza's sound of "ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-ow" symbolizes her uncontrolled feelings and youthfulness, highlighting her immaturity and emotional state.
- The coin that Higgins gives Liza reflects his conflicting feelings of guilt and charity, as well as societal issues regarding class distinctions.
Socioeconomic Commentary
- Eliza's living conditions reflect her aspirations and status; she is poor yet yearns for a better life, embodying the struggle between social classes.
- Liza's misunderstanding of Higgins' intentions leads her to believe she is being accused of prostitution, showcasing societal prejudices and challenges faced by women.
Key Terms and References
- The phrase “cabs were all engaged” indicates that all taxis were occupied, contributing to Clara’s frustration.
- A "copper's nark" refers to an informant for the police, reflecting Liza's initial misconceptions about Higgins.
- A "sixpence" or "tanner" is a reference to currency, revealing the economic context of the characters’ exchanges.
Interaction Dynamics
- Higgins boasts he can convincingly present Liza as a duchess within three months at an ambassador's garden party, showcasing his arrogance and ambition.
- Colonel Pickering, a gentleman who shares an academic interest with Higgins, arrives in England for a purpose aligned with Higgins' and adds to the dynamics among the characters.
Cultural References
- The title "Pygmalion" alludes to Greek mythology, where Pygmalion was a king disillusioned by women's immorality, paralleling themes of transformation and desire within the play.
- George Bernard Shaw, the author, critiques social class divisions and the roles of women through character interactions and societal commentary.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the key terms and concepts from Act 1 of George Bernard Shaw's play 'Pygmalion'. This quiz covers essential vocabulary and character interactions that set the stage for the story. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts alike.