Podcast
Questions and Answers
In the opening scene, the behavior of the mother, daughter, and son suggests they belong to which social class?
In the opening scene, the behavior of the mother, daughter, and son suggests they belong to which social class?
- Lower class, due to their reliance on public transportation.
- Middle to upper class, indicated by their expectations of chivalry and concern for appearances. (correct)
- Working class, evident in their practical approach to the rain.
- Upper class, shown by their disregard for the cost of a cab.
What visual cues indicate the flower girl's likely social class?
What visual cues indicate the flower girl's likely social class?
- Her clean appearance and polite manners.
- Her confident demeanor and assertive speech.
- Her elaborate hat and well-maintained dress.
- Her unwashed hair and worn boots. (correct)
Initially, the note taker is assumed to be a member of which profession; however, what is his actual profession?
Initially, the note taker is assumed to be a member of which profession; however, what is his actual profession?
- A lawyer; a social reformer.
- A journalist; an actor.
- A police officer; a professor of language. (correct)
- A doctor; a research scientist.
What claim does the note taker make about what he could do for the flower girl?
What claim does the note taker make about what he could do for the flower girl?
How do the note taker and the gentleman differ in their treatment of the flower girl?
How do the note taker and the gentleman differ in their treatment of the flower girl?
What shared interest do Higgins and Pickering have in common?
What shared interest do Higgins and Pickering have in common?
After Freddy secures a cab, who ends up using it, and what does this action suggest?
After Freddy secures a cab, who ends up using it, and what does this action suggest?
What dramatic purpose does the rain shower serve at the beginning of the play?
What dramatic purpose does the rain shower serve at the beginning of the play?
Which coincidences in the first act foreshadow the play's future developments?
Which coincidences in the first act foreshadow the play's future developments?
How is the theme of appearance versus reality introduced in the first act?
How is the theme of appearance versus reality introduced in the first act?
What does the detailed description of Higgins's home reveal about his character?
What does the detailed description of Higgins's home reveal about his character?
Higgins accurately identifies people's backgrounds by their accents. In contemporary society, where does this kind of judgment typically occur?
Higgins accurately identifies people's backgrounds by their accents. In contemporary society, where does this kind of judgment typically occur?
What does Mrs. Higgins hosting her “at-home” tea suggest about her social class?
What does Mrs. Higgins hosting her “at-home” tea suggest about her social class?
Why does Eliza throw Higgins’s slippers at him?
Why does Eliza throw Higgins’s slippers at him?
Which of Eliza's statements shocks and wounds Higgins?
Which of Eliza's statements shocks and wounds Higgins?
Why does Eliza wish Higgins had left her where he found her?
Why does Eliza wish Higgins had left her where he found her?
What does Eliza feel she "had" when she was selling flowers on the street corner that she fears she has lost now that she is a "lady"?
What does Eliza feel she "had" when she was selling flowers on the street corner that she fears she has lost now that she is a "lady"?
Why is the note taker so upset by a woman who utters such depressing and disgusting sounds?
Why is the note taker so upset by a woman who utters such depressing and disgusting sounds?
How do the clothes worn by Higgins and the flower girl reflect them?
How do the clothes worn by Higgins and the flower girl reflect them?
Why does the flower girl make an appearance at Higgins’s home?
Why does the flower girl make an appearance at Higgins’s home?
When Higgins recognizes the flower girl at his door, what is his reaction?
When Higgins recognizes the flower girl at his door, what is his reaction?
Why does Dolittle claim only to want five pounds instead of ten?
Why does Dolittle claim only to want five pounds instead of ten?
What are the flower girl's motivations and how does she achieve her goals?
What are the flower girl's motivations and how does she achieve her goals?
Higgins wagers with Pickering to do what?
Higgins wagers with Pickering to do what?
When Eliza is determined to leave after being insulted, how does Higgins convince her to stay?
When Eliza is determined to leave after being insulted, how does Higgins convince her to stay?
What concern does Mrs. Pearce voice regarding Eliza?
What concern does Mrs. Pearce voice regarding Eliza?
What are Mrs. Pearce's responsibilities in her role, and what does her opinionated attitude reveal about her?
What are Mrs. Pearce's responsibilities in her role, and what does her opinionated attitude reveal about her?
What details about Alfred Doolittle reveal his social class?
What details about Alfred Doolittle reveal his social class?
Why does Dolittle reject middle-class morality?
Why does Dolittle reject middle-class morality?
What is the symbolic significance of the bath scene for Eliza?
What is the symbolic significance of the bath scene for Eliza?
How do Mrs. Higgins’s refined drawing room contrasts with Henry’s chaotic space, highlighting their different personalities.
How do Mrs. Higgins’s refined drawing room contrasts with Henry’s chaotic space, highlighting their different personalities.
How do the actions and comments of Higgins affect his relationship with Eliza?
How do the actions and comments of Higgins affect his relationship with Eliza?
Higgins said Eliza should only speak of health and the weather at his mother’s home. How does this affect her?
Higgins said Eliza should only speak of health and the weather at his mother’s home. How does this affect her?
What criticism does Mrs. Higgins level against Higgins and Pickering regarding Eliza?
What criticism does Mrs. Higgins level against Higgins and Pickering regarding Eliza?
Flashcards
Flower girl's social class
Flower girl's social class
Likely lower class due to unwashed hair and worn boots.
Higgins' profession
Higgins' profession
A professor of language.
Higgins' claim about the flower girl
Higgins' claim about the flower girl
He claims he could get her a job as a maid.
Commonality between Higgins and Pickering
Commonality between Higgins and Pickering
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Purpose of opening the play in a rain shower
Purpose of opening the play in a rain shower
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Mrs. Higgins' social class
Mrs. Higgins' social class
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Why Eliza throws Higgins’s slippers
Why Eliza throws Higgins’s slippers
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What Eliza lost moving from flower girl to lady
What Eliza lost moving from flower girl to lady
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Clothing reflections of Higgins and the flower girl
Clothing reflections of Higgins and the flower girl
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Flower girl's goal
Flower girl's goal
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Bet between Higgins and Pickering
Bet between Higgins and Pickering
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Mrs. Pearce’s concern about Eliza
Mrs. Pearce’s concern about Eliza
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Eliza's father's traits
Eliza's father's traits
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Doolittle against middle-class morality
Doolittle against middle-class morality
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Purpose of a bath scene for Eliza
Purpose of a bath scene for Eliza
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Comparing Higgins' homes
Comparing Higgins' homes
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How Higgins offends
How Higgins offends
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Result of winning the party
Result of winning the party
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What does Higgins think has been achieved by the success at the garden party?
What does Higgins think has been achieved by the success at the garden party?
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Eliza said that getting married the way Higgins suggests is like “selling herself”
Eliza said that getting married the way Higgins suggests is like “selling herself”
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Who has the upper hand?
Who has the upper hand?
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Change in social status has Eliza’s father undergone?
Change in social status has Eliza’s father undergone?
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What has Eliza gained as a result of her experience with Higgins?
What has Eliza gained as a result of her experience with Higgins?
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Who emerges as the play's most important character or protagonist?
Who emerges as the play's most important character or protagonist?
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How has Shaw altered the myth?
How has Shaw altered the myth?
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Study Notes
- The mother, daughter, and son likely belong to the upper-middle class due to their expectations of male support, concern for appearances, and demeanor.
- The flower girl likely belongs to the lower class because of her unkempt appearance and worn clothing.
- The note taker, Higgins, is assumed to be a police officer but is actually a professor of language.
- Higgins claims he could get the flower girl a job as a maid.
- Higgins is mean to the flower girl while the gentleman is gentle.
- Higgins and Pickering are both language experts who wanted to meet each other.
- The flower girl takes the cab, highlighting her social class.
- The rain shower creates a somber mood and reflects the storyline's atmosphere.
- Coincidences include Higgins meeting Pickering and his connection with the flower girl.
- Appearance versus reality is raised through the flower girl's desire to change her social class.
- Higgins's home reflects his focus on work and usefulness over wealth and style.
- Mrs. Higgins is wealthy enough to host tea and doesn't need to work.
- Eliza throws Higgins’s slippers at him because they ignored her.
- Eliza says, "He might want them for the next girl you pick up to experiment on," shocking Higgins.
- Eliza wishes Higgins had left her where he found her because she feels underappreciated and manipulated, with only a taste of wealth.
- Eliza fears losing her freedom/identity by becoming a "lady."
- Higgins is offended by Eliza's dialect because he is a professor of language.
- Higgins is dressed professionally, reflecting his middle-upper class status, the flower girl has a fancy hat and dress, and wants to show she is making a life change.
- The flower girl appears at Higgins’s home to improve herself.
- Higgins is surprised but amused when he recognizes the flower girl at his door.
- Doolittle asks for five pounds because he wants just enough for a temporary indulgence, not responsibility.
- The flower girl wants to improve her speech and manners to become a proper lady and work in a flower shop.
- Higgins bets Pickering he can transform Eliza into a lady fit for high society to test his skills.
- Higgins convinces Eliza to stay by appealing to her ambition and offering her the chance to improve herself.
- Mrs. Pearce worries about the morality and consequences of Higgins’s treatment of Eliza.
- As Higgins’s housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce maintains order and challenges Higgins’s disregard for Eliza’s dignity, showing she has some social authority.
- Alfred Doolittle is a dustman with little money, loose morals, and a disdain for middle-class respectability.
- Doolittle rejects middle-class morality because it comes with responsibility, preferring the freedom of poverty.
- The bath scene symbolizes Eliza’s transformation and cleansing from her past life.
- Mrs. Higgins’s refined drawing room contrasts with Henry’s chaotic space, highlighting their different personalities.
- Higgins offends his mother’s friends with his blunt, unsophisticated behavior, which extends to his treatment of Eliza.
- Eliza struggles to maintain proper decorum, revealing her incomplete transformation into a lady.
- Eliza slips up in her speech at Mrs. Higgins’s home, exposing her working-class origins.
- Mrs. Higgins criticizes Higgins and Pickering for treating Eliza as an experiment rather than considering her future.
- Freddy is enamored with Eliza, while Clara is fascinated but confused by her.
- Eliza was very tired/exhausted and a little angry when they return from the party.
- Higgins and Pickering celebrate their success, ignoring Eliza’s feelings.
- Higgins’s remark, “Thank God it’s all over,” hurts Eliza because it shows he sees her transformation as just a game.
- Higgins believes he has successfully changed Eliza’s status, while Pickering appreciates her progress differently.
- Higgins dismisses Eliza’s emotions and tells her to get over it.
- Higgins insists Eliza is now independent, but she realizes she is still vulnerable in society.
- Eliza rejects Higgins’s idea of marriage because she refuses to be treated as a transaction.
- By the end, Eliza gains the upper hand by asserting her independence and rejecting Higgins’s control.
- The crisis occurs when Eliza leaves, forcing Higgins to confront his feelings and her autonomy.
- Higgins and Pickering are confused and dismissive of Eliza’s disappearance.
- Mrs. Higgins is frustrated but sympathizes with Eliza’s decision.
- Higgins claims he never provoked Eliza, but his dismissive attitude was the cause
- Doolittle unexpectedly gains wealth and status due to an inheritance, which he resents.
- Higgins’s line reflects his arrogance and inability to see Eliza’s personal growth.
- Higgins sees himself as Eliza’s creator, but she proves her independence.
- Higgins wants Eliza to return as his companion, while Pickering is concerned for her well-being.
- Eliza’s advice to Higgins on his habits shows she understands him but no longer needs him.
- Shaw’s ending is vague, leaving Eliza’s future uncertain.
- Eliza is the protagonist because she undergoes the most transformation.
- Shaw alters the Pygmalion myth by making Eliza independent rather than a passive creation.
- Higgins molds Eliza through education, but she ultimately takes control of her destiny.
- Minor characters highlight social class differences and reinforce themes of transformation and status.
- Eliza gains confidence and self-respect but loses her place in Higgins’s world.
- Shaw’s theme critiques class divisions and challenges the idea that social status defines worth.
- Shaw satirizes social class, gender roles, and superficial transformation, which remains relevant today.
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