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Pygmalion

Cognotes offers in-depth help with George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion

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Analysis of Major Characters

Themes and Analysis

Summary and Analysis

Important Quotes Explained

Study Questions for Each Act

Reading Questions and Quiz

Possible Essay Questions

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Study Questions

1 1 1. What are some assumptions that the upper, middle, and lower class make of each other?

The upper class has a mentality where they believe themselves superior to the poor class. The poor are assumed to be dirty and crude common. To the rich, a poor woman’s purpose is prostitution. Even so, the poor are deemed incapable of understanding the culture of the rich, especially small talk. Some assumptions coincide with the ones the poor class makes about the rich. If a rich person is interested in a poor woman, it is probably for prostitution. The poor appear to think they are inferior as shown through them thinking certain possessions and acts too good for them. The rich do not need to walk, they can ride in taxicabs. Overall, each believes that they would not fit in to each others' culture and environment.


2. How do Higgins and Pickering contrast and complement each other?

Higgins is characterized to be self-important and condescending towards others yet intelligent. His rude behavior makes it difficult for others to tolerate him. He is a static character, never-changing throughout the entirety of the story. Pickering, however, is the ying to his yang. He is described as a perfect gentleman. His gentle and nurturing nature makes it easy for others to feel affection towards him. Essentially, Higgins and Pickering’s personalities balance each other out, especially during Eliza's education. Higgins would be very strict towards her while Pickering would comfort her. As Liza herself points out, Higgins taught her how to speak, but Pickering taught her how to behave.



3.
What does Mrs. Higgins convey when she says to Higgins and Pickering, “You certainly are a pretty pair of babies, playing with your live doll"?

Although Higgins and Pickering plan for Eliza to become a lady, there is no real thought regarding her future after the bet. Higgins even goes as far as to say that she’ll probably go back to the gutter. There is no planning for Eliza’s dream of becoming a lady in a flower shop. Mrs. Higgins is basically saying that Higgins and Pickering treat Eliza like a doll rather than a human. They don’t take into account her feelings. They dress her up, teach her manners and control all aspects of her life.


4. What is ironic about Eliza saying, “I don’t think I can bear much more. The people are stare so at me. An old lady has just told me that I speak exactly like Queen Victoria. I am sorry if I have lost you bet. I have done my best; but nothing can make me the same as these people”?


To Eliza, she is not fitting in because people are staring at her and giving her comments on her speech. However, she is completely wrong. People stare at her because of her beauty and behavior. This quote alludes to the belief that the classes cannot fit in each other’s environment. Eliza believes she will never be able to be the “same as these people.” Yet, she has done the impossible and convinced the upper class that she is one of them.