Pygmalion Act 1 Flashcards

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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?

She wants a cab and thinks her mother paid the flower girl too much money and should have asked for change. Signup and view all the answers

How does Freddy meet Liza (the flower girl)?

Runs into her making her drop all of her flowers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Freddy's mother pay Liza (the flower girl) for?

For Freddy ruining all of her flowers. Signup and view all the answers

How much did Mother pay Liza (the flower girl) for the flowers?

Six pence Signup and view all the answers

Why is Henry Higgins taking notes?

He can figure out by the way people speak where they live within 6 miles. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Mother want to take any change from Liza?

Because she didn't want anything she had touched because she was dirty and poor. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Act 1 take place?

In front of St. Paul's Church in London. Signup and view all the answers

Who thinks he can turn Liza into a duchess or lady?

Professor Henry Higgins Signup and view all the answers

Professor Henry Higgins was the Professor of?

Phonetics Signup and view all the answers

What does 'the cabs were all engaged' mean?

Taken Signup and view all the answers

What is a copper's nark?

A policeman Signup and view all the answers

Where did Henry Higgins (the notetaker) say Liza was from?

Lisson Grove Signup and view all the answers

Who is the gentleman?

Colonel Pickering Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of Pygmalion?

George Bernard Shaw Signup and view all the answers

What is the weather like during the opening scene?

A thunderstorm Signup and view all the answers

What is Henry Higgins able to discern by listening to people speak?

The origin Signup and view all the answers

How does Henry Higgins define phonetics?

The science of speech Signup and view all the answers

What does Henry Higgins bet he can transform the flower girl into?

A duchess (lady) Signup and view all the answers

Where do Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering decide to go after recognizing each other?

To dinner Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the rain shower in the play?

To put all the characters together in one place (different social classes) Signup and view all the answers

What does the sound ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-ow symbolize about the flower girl?

She can't control her feelings. She is ungoverned and immature. Signup and view all the answers

What important information does the notetaker give away that the flower girl hears?

His address Signup and view all the answers

Why does Henry Higgins give pocket change to the flower girl?

He hears the church bells ringing and it reminds him to be charitable. And he feels guilty for being so harsh to her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Eliza immediately do with the money Henry Higgins gives her?

Takes a taxi Signup and view all the answers

When Eliza says 'what's that you say?' to Henry Higgins, what is she talking about?

She is interested in having him teach her to speak and may go to ask him for lessons. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of dialect does Eliza speak?

Cockney Signup and view all the answers

What is a tanner?

A six-pence Signup and view all the answers

What does the flower girl Eliza think she is being accused of while selling her flowers?

Prostitution Signup and view all the answers

What does Eliza's room say about her?

She is poor and humble, but dreams of a better life. Signup and view all the answers

What do Higgins and Pickering have in common?

They both study dialects. Pickering came to England to meet Higgins and Higgins was about to go to India to meet Pickering. Signup and view all the answers

What does the notetaker brag about what he could do for the flower girl within 3 months?

He says he can pass her off as a duchess at an ambassador's garden party. Signup and view all the answers

What is the daughter's name?

Clara Signup and view all the answers

The play's title is an allusion to?

Greek mythology Signup and view all the answers

In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a Cypriot king who was what?

Disgusted by the immorality of women. Signup and view all the answers

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.