PYGMALION The transformation of ELIZA
BEGINNING (ACT ONE) -Forceful -Streetwise young girl -Very intrigued by Higgins statement that he can train her in speech and manners into a “duchess at an ambassador’s party” -Her speech is written phonetically: -“will ye-oo py me f’them?” (referring to her flowers)
Eliza is forced to have a bath by Mrs. Pearce during her time at Wimpole Street. Eliza considers this “not natural” This scene illustrates the vast difference between the rich and poor in the early decades of this century
When visiting Mrs Higgins, Freddy becomes quite infatuated with Eliza’s overly mannered style of speech sprinkled with colloquialisms, very amusing Why do you believe Freddy was not instantly attracted to Eliza when he saw her in Act 1 when they were outside in Covent Garden?
Eliza is determined to own her own flower shop despite the many horrible and inhumane slurs made by Higgins. List at least 5 of these
Eliza returns from the embassy reception, thus winning “Higgin’s bet for him” When Higgins can not find his slippers, Eliza places them beside him as she listens to him express his gratitude that the project was finally complete.
Eliza is distraught that she had received no recognition for her hard work and thus pays no attention to her grammar, referring to “them slippers” as opposed to “those slippers”
Eliza is left posing the question that Mrs Pearce and Mrs Higgins have already raised on her behalf “WHAT’S TO BECOME OF ME?” Explain how the notion of questioning and repetition expresses Eliza’s disappointment and suffering at this point in the play
“I wanted to smash your face. I’d like to kill you, you selfish brute.” Explain how the language used in this quote reveals Eliza’s transformation
List 10 adjectives that describe Eliza at the end of the play
Do you believe the end of the play effectively communicates a positive OR negative change in Eliza? Explain your answer, specifically including the events at the end of Pygmalion such as her marriage and dependence on Higgins for housing