Chapter: 09. A Comedy Of Manners
A. Answer these questions.
Where does Act II Scene I take place, and what is its significance to Professor Higgins’s work? Act II Scene I takes place in Professor Higgins’s laboratory in Wimpole Street. It is significant because it is where he conducts his research on accents, using a phonograph to record people’s speech, and where he takes on the challenge of transforming Eliza’s speech. What is Eliza’s initial offer for lessons, and why does she think it’s a fair price? Eliza initially offers a shilling for lessons. She thinks it’s a fair price because she states a friend pays eighteen pence an hour for French lessons, and she believes learning her “own language” shouldn’t cost as much. How does Higgins react when Pickering proposes the bet about the Ambassador’s garden party? Higgins initially reacts with some surprise (“What about it, then?”) but quickly becomes excited and inspired by the idea of the challenge, seeing it as an “inspired folly” and a chance to prove his abilities (“I shall make a duchess of this plebeian”). Describe Alfred Doolittle’s reaction upon seeing Eliza after her transformation. Alfred Doolittle is completely taken aback and doesn’t recognize Eliza at first, backing away and saying, “Beg pardon, miss.” When he realizes it’s her, he’s “Blimey, it’s Eliza!” and admits, “Well, I never thought she’d clean up as good-looking as that.” What specific challenge does Eliza face during her first phonetics lesson with Higgins? Eliza faces the specific challenge of pronouncing basic sounds correctly, particularly differentiating between her natural Cockney pronunciations (like “ahyee, bayee” for A, B or “cappate-ee” for “cup of tea”) and the standard, clear pronunciations Higgins demands. She struggles with tongue placement for sounds like “cup.” What reward does Higgins give Eliza when she successfully pronounces “cup”? When Eliza successfully pronounces “cup,” Higgins gives her a chocolate as a reward. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“Don’t you be so saucy. I’m come to have lessons. And to pay for 'em too.”
a. Who is the speaker of these lines?
* Eliza Doolittle is the speaker of these lines.
b. What does the speaker mean by “saucy”?
* By “saucy,” the speaker means rude or disrespectful in an annoying way. She is telling Higgins not to be so insolent or impertinent towards her.
c. What does this statement reveal about the speaker’s character?
* This statement reveals Eliza’s feisty and determined character. Despite her lower social status, she isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and asserts her right to be treated with respect, especially since she’s offering to pay. “The greatest difficulty will be to get her to talk grammar.”
a. Who says this and about whom?
* Professor Higgins says this about Eliza Doolittle.
b. What does this line tell us about the speaker’s focus regarding Eliza’s transformation?
* This line tells us that Higgins’s focus for Eliza’s transformation goes beyond just changing her accent; he aims for a complete overhaul of her speech, including the structure and rules of language (grammar), to truly make her sound like a lady.
c. Why does the speaker consider grammar a “greatest difficulty”?
* The speaker considers grammar a “greatest difficulty” because it’s not just about correcting sounds, but about fundamentally changing deeply ingrained speech patterns and the way Eliza constructs sentences, which is often harder than altering pronunciation alone. “By God, she’s done it at the first shot.”
a. Who is the speaker, and what specific action is being referred to?
* Professor Higgins is the speaker. He is referring to Eliza’s successful pronunciation of the word “cup” correctly.
b. What does “at the first shot” imply about the outcome?
* “At the first shot” implies that Eliza managed to do it on the very first attempt or quickly, after Higgins’s specific instruction, indicating a surprisingly quick grasp or a moment of breakthrough.
c. How does this line reflect the speaker’s feelings or expectations?
* This line reflects Higgins’s surprise and satisfaction. He is pleased by Eliza’s quick success, perhaps suggesting he didn’t expect her to get it right so immediately, reinforcing his belief in his own teaching methods and the potential of his “experiment.” C. Think and answer.
How does the play challenge or reinforce stereotypes about social class and education? Use examples from the text to support your answer. The play challenges stereotypes by showing that Eliza, a “flower girl” from the lower class, possesses an innate intelligence, determination, and potential for transformation that Professor Higgins initially dismisses based on her speech and appearance. She demonstrates that “ladies” are not just born, but can be “made” through education and effort. For example, Higgins’s ability to turn a “plebeian” into a potential “duchess” directly challenges the idea of fixed social classes. However, it also reinforces stereotypes by highlighting how deeply ingrained prejudices are. Higgins and Pickering initially judge Eliza solely by her “atrocious” accent and “terrible” grammar, equating them with a lack of intelligence or worth. Her own father, Alfred Doolittle, embodies the stereotype of the manipulative poor man, trying to extort money. The very premise of the play—that Eliza needs to change her speech to gain opportunities—reinforces the idea that certain ways of speaking are deemed superior and necessary for social mobility. Discuss Professor Higgins’s teaching methods. Are they effective? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Strengths: Higgins’s methods are highly effective in achieving his desired technical outcome: teaching Eliza to speak correctly. He possesses deep expertise in phonetics, clearly understanding the mechanics of speech (e.g., instructing Eliza on tongue placement). He is also highly driven and determined, which pushes Eliza to work hard. The immediate reward system (chocolate) also shows a practical, albeit impersonal, approach to reinforcing correct behavior. Weaknesses: His methods are almost entirely devoid of empathy or patience. He is rude, impatient, and treats Eliza more like a scientific subject than a human being. He yells at her (“Stop, for heaven’s sake!”), expresses frustration (“I don’t want a ninnyhammer on my hands!”), and doesn’t consider her feelings, which could be demoralizing. His focus is purely on the linguistic transformation, neglecting Eliza’s emotional well-being or social integration. Analyze the role of Colonel Pickering in the play. How does he influence the actions of Higgins and Eliza? Colonel Pickering plays a crucial role as a catalyst and a moral counterbalance in the play. Influence on Higgins: He directly influences Higgins’s decision to take on Eliza by proposing the bet. Without Pickering’s challenge and offer to pay, Higgins might have simply dismissed Eliza. Pickering’s presence also often tempers Higgins’s rudeness; he tells Higgins to “Quiet down” and “Stop teasing her,” acting as a more civilizing force. Influence on Eliza: Pickering treats Eliza with respect and kindness from the outset (“Happy to meet you, Ms Doolittle”). He encourages her during her difficult lessons (“Excellent job, Miss Eliza,” “Say it, Miss Eliza. Do what he tells you…”). This kindness provides Eliza with much-needed support and a sense of dignity that Higgins rarely offers, making her difficult journey more bearable and perhaps fostering her determination. He represents the positive, gentlemanly influence in contrast to Higgins’s abrasive scientific approach. 
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