Chapter: 09. A Comedy Of Manners
A. Answer these questions.
What equipment does Professor Higgins use in his laboratory for his research? Professor Higgins uses a writing table, a phonograph, and a box of wax cylinders for the phonograph in his laboratory for research. What is the initial reaction of Professor Higgins when Eliza Doolittle asks for his help? Professor Higgins’s initial reaction is dismissive and rude; he tells Eliza she is “of no use” to him, that he has already recorded her accent, and tells her to “Be gone.” Why does Eliza want to learn to speak “more genteel”? Eliza wants to learn to speak “more genteel” so she can become a “lady in a flower shop” instead of selling flowers on the streets, enabling her to work in a “fancy flower shop.” How much does Eliza offer to pay Professor Higgins for lessons, and how does she justify this amount? Eliza offers to pay Higgins “not more than a shilling.” She justifies this by explaining that a friend pays eighteen pence an hour for French lessons, implying that learning her “own language” should not be as expensive. Describe Eliza’s demeanor at the beginning of her first lesson. At the beginning of her first lesson, Eliza is “nervously fidgeting” and shows some impatience and defensiveness, stating, “I know my alphabet. Do you think I know nothing? I don’t need to be taught like a child.” What specific phrase does Higgins use to try and teach Eliza about pronunciation after the alphabet? After the alphabet, Higgins uses the phrase “a cup of tea” to try and teach Eliza about pronunciation. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“You are of no use to me. I have already recorded your accent. Be gone, my girl.”
a. What does this statement reveal about Higgins’s attitude towards Eliza at this point?
* This statement reveals Higgins’s indifferent, dismissive, and self-centered attitude towards Eliza. He views her purely as a subject for his research, and once her accent is recorded, she holds no further value to him.
b. How does Eliza respond to this dismissal?
* Eliza responds by asserting herself, telling him, “Don’t you be so saucy,” and reiterating that she has come for lessons and is prepared to pay, showing her determination.
c. What is the implied reason Higgins doesn’t want her there?
* The implied reason is that he sees her as a nuisance or a distraction from his scientific pursuits once he has what he needs from her (her accent recording). “This is what we pay for as elementary education in this country.”
a. Who says this, and in what context?
* Professor Higgins says this in Act II Scene II, after Eliza pronounces the alphabet as “Ahyee, bayee, cayee, dayee” during her first lesson.
b. What does the speaker imply about the quality of elementary education?
* The speaker implies that the quality of elementary education in the country is poor or inadequate, as it has failed to teach basic, clear pronunciation even at a fundamental level.
c. How does this line reflect the speaker’s general view of society or common people?
* This line reflects Higgins’s critical and somewhat contemptuous view of common societal standards and the education system, suggesting he sees widespread linguistic deficiency among the general populace. “Put your tongue forward till it squeezes against the top of your lower teeth and say ‘cup’.”
a. Who is giving this instruction, and to whom?
* Professor Higgins is giving this instruction to Eliza Doolittle.
b. What type of skill is the instructor trying to teach?
* The instructor is trying to teach a precise phonetic skill – the correct articulation and pronunciation of a specific sound, focusing on the physical placement of the tongue.
c. What is the significance of Eliza’s successful attempt at this instruction?
* Eliza’s successful attempt is significant because it marks her first tangible breakthrough in learning proper pronunciation under Higgins’s tutelage, demonstrating her capacity to learn and the potential for her transformation. C. Think and answer.
How does the dialogue between Higgins and Eliza in Act II Scene I immediately establish their contrasting personalities and social standings? The dialogue immediately establishes contrasting personalities: Higgins is arrogant, dismissive, and scientifically detached, treating Eliza as a mere specimen (“You are of no use to me. I have already recorded your accent.”). Eliza, despite her rough speech, is bold, determined, and asserts her dignity (“Don’t you be so saucy. I’m come to have lessons. And to pay for 'em too.”). Their social standings are evident in Higgins’s position as a respected professor in his own lab versus Eliza’s description as a “flower girl” in a “shoddy old coat.” Higgins’s shock at her asking for “lessons” also underscores the social divide. Based on Act II Scene II, what are the primary challenges Eliza faces in changing her accent, and how do these challenges highlight the difficulty of the task? The primary challenges Eliza faces are deeply ingrained pronunciation habits and a lack of awareness of how her own sounds differ from standard English. She genuinely believes she is saying words correctly (“But that’s what I’m saying - ahyee, bayee…”), indicating her ears are not yet trained to distinguish the subtleties of different vowel and consonant sounds. Higgins has to resort to extremely specific, almost mechanical, instructions (“Put your tongue forward till it squeezes against the top of your lower teeth”) because the problem is not a lack of effort, but a fundamental difference in how she has learned to form sounds. These challenges highlight the immense difficulty of retraining a lifetime of speech patterns, showing it’s a meticulous and frustrating process rather than a quick fix. Compare and contrast the characters of Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering based on their interactions with Eliza in these scenes. Contrast: Professor Higgins is abrasive, impatient, and views Eliza as a scientific project or an object of study. He is rude and dismissive, initially wanting her gone. His motivation is intellectual curiosity and the challenge of transformation. Colonel Pickering, in contrast, is polite, gentlemanly, and supportive. He treats Eliza with kindness and respect from the start (“Happy to meet you, Ms Doolittle”) and acts as her advocate, offering to pay for her lessons and encouraging her during the difficult process. Comparison: Both men share a professional interest in phonetics and are intrigued by the idea of Eliza’s linguistic transformation. They are both present during her lessons and observe her progress. However, their approaches and underlying respect for Eliza as a person are fundamentally different. D. Vocabulary Questions.
Which word from the text means “rude in an annoying or funny way”? Find a word in Act II Scene I that describes Eliza’s coat. The word “striding” in Act II Scene II describes Higgins’s movement. What is a synonym for “striding”? pacing (or walking with long steps, marching) From Act II Scene II, identify a word that means “pronouncing words clearly.”
Answer key