Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Higgins say about a young woman?
What does Higgins say about a young woman?
What does Mrs. Pearce advise Mr. Higgins?
What does Mrs. Pearce advise Mr. Higgins?
You must be reasonable, Mr. Higgins: really you must. You can't walk over everybody like this.
How many distinct vowel sounds can Pickering pronounce?
How many distinct vowel sounds can Pickering pronounce?
Twenty-four distinct vowel sounds
What does Alfred Doolittle question in his quote?
What does Alfred Doolittle question in his quote?
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What comparison does Mrs. Pearce make regarding taking a girl?
What comparison does Mrs. Pearce make regarding taking a girl?
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What does Henry Higgins believe about the girl?
What does Henry Higgins believe about the girl?
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What does Henry Higgins say about making friends with women?
What does Henry Higgins say about making friends with women?
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What does Eliza Doolittle ask in her exchange with Alfred Doolittle?
What does Eliza Doolittle ask in her exchange with Alfred Doolittle?
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What does Alfred Doolittle think about middle class morality?
What does Alfred Doolittle think about middle class morality?
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Study Notes
Social Class and Manners
- Higgins expresses his dismissive attitude towards women, highlighting his condescending view of social roles: "A young woman! What does she want?"
- Mrs. Pearce challenges Higgins' treatment of others, emphasizing the need for respect and reasonable behavior: "You must be reasonable, Mr. Higgins: really you must. You can't walk over everybody like this."
Education and Intelligence
- Mrs. Pearce critiques Higgins' approach to Eliza, insisting that transforming her isn't as simple as picking up a pebble, emphasizing the complexities of her identity: "You can't take a girl up like that as if you were picking up a pebble on the beach."
- Higgins expresses a possessive view of Eliza's transformation, claiming her value is tied solely to his use of her: "The girl doesn't belong to anybody - is no use to anybody but me."
Language and Speech
- Pickering boasts about his linguistic ability, stating he can articulate twenty-four distinct vowel sounds, underscoring the importance of language in social status.
Femininity and Gender Roles
- Alfred Doolittle defends his claim over Eliza, drawing attention to gender dynamics in relationships: "Is it fairity to take advantage of a man like this? The girl belongs to me."
- Higgins reflects on his relationship with women, admitting that emotional connections lead him to become selfish and tyrannical: "The moment I let myself make friends with a woman, I become selfish and tyrannical. Women upset everything."
Appearance and Identity
- A moment of confusion occurs between Eliza and Alfred Doolittle, showing the complex dynamics of identity and recognition: "'Beg pardon, miss.' 'Garn! Don't you know your own daughter?'"
Social Class and Morality
- Alfred Doolittle questions societal norms, presenting middle-class morals as hypocritical barriers to social justice: "What is middle class morality? Just an excuse for never giving me anything."
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Description
Test your knowledge of key quotes from Act II of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. This quiz features important lines that reflect themes of social class, manners, and language in the play. Perfect for literature enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of the characters and their perspectives.
