Chapter: 09. A Comedy Of Manners
A. Answer these questions.
What did Professor Higgins do? Professor Higgins was a phonetics expert who used a phonograph to record people speaking in different accents for the purpose of research and study. What was Eliza Doolittle’s ambition? Eliza Doolittle’s ambition was to be a lady in a flower shop instead of selling flowers on the streets, by learning to talk and look like a lady so she could work in one of those fancy flower shops. Describe the appearance of Eliza when she met Higgins for the first time. When Eliza met Higgins for the first time, she seemed to be a member of the middle class, wearing a shoddy old coat, a nearly clean dress, and a frightful-looking hat with brightly coloured ostrich feathers. What did Pickering say he would do if Higgins succeeded? If Higgins succeeded in passing off Eliza as a lady at the Ambassador’s garden party, Pickering said he would humbly agree that Higgins was the greatest teacher in the land and would even pay for her lessons. Who was Alfred Doolittle and what did he want? Alfred Doolittle was Eliza Doolittle’s father, an elderly but vigorous man. He initially claimed to want his daughter back, but in reality, he had come to extort money from Professor Higgins. What did Professor Higgins vow to do in a period of three months? Professor Higgins vowed that in three months, if Eliza had a quick ear and a quick tongue, he would be able to take her anywhere and pass her off as a member of the upper class, fooling everyone. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
You are of no use to me. I have already recorded your accent.
a. Who said this and to whom?
* Professor Higgins said this to Eliza Doolittle.
b. How did the speaker record the listener’s accent?
* The speaker (Professor Higgins) recorded the listener’s (Eliza’s) accent using a phonograph and wax cylinders.
c. What did the listener want?
* The listener (Eliza Doolittle) wanted Professor Higgins to give her lessons so she could talk “more better, more genteel” and work as a lady in a flower shop. And, I will even pay for her lessons.
a. Who said this and to whom?
* Colonel Pickering said this to Professor Higgins.
b. What lessons will the speaker pay for? Who was ‘her’ being referred to here?
* The speaker will pay for lessons to teach Eliza Doolittle to speak like a lady and improve her grammar and pronunciation. ‘Her’ being referred to is Eliza Doolittle.
c. Why did the speaker agree to pay for her lessons?
* The speaker (Colonel Pickering) agreed to pay for her lessons as part of a challenge or a bet with Higgins, stating that if Higgins could pass Eliza off as a lady at the Ambassador’s garden party, he would pay for the lessons and acknowledge Higgins as the greatest teacher. C. Think and answer.
What impression did you form of Eliza Doolittle from this play? Give reasons. From this play, Eliza Doolittle comes across as a determined, ambitious, and surprisingly resilient character. Despite her humble origins and rough speech, she demonstrates great courage by directly approaching Professor Higgins to ask for lessons. Her willingness to pay, even a small amount, shows her independence and seriousness about self-improvement, rather than just seeking charity. She also exhibits a strong spirit and doesn’t shy away from standing up for herself against Higgins’s initial rudeness, as seen when she says, “Don’t you be so saucy” or “who you calling ninnyhammer?” Her persistent efforts during her first lesson, even when struggling, further highlight her dedication to achieving her ambition of becoming a “lady.” Is there such a thing as a ‘right’ way to speak English? Research the various accents that exist within Britain. Is there only one English accent or many? Find out and discuss in class. No, there isn’t one single “right” way to speak English. While some accents, like Received Pronunciation (RP), have historically been associated with prestige or a certain social class in Britain, from a linguistic perspective, all accents are equally valid and effective for communication. Within Britain, there are many different English accents, not just one. These accents vary significantly by region and social group. Some prominent examples include: Received Pronunciation (RP): Often called “Queen’s English” or “BBC English,” it’s a non-regional accent typically associated with southern England and higher social classes. Cockney: A working-class accent from East London, characterized by distinctive vowel sounds and glottal stops (like the “t” sound often dropped in words). Eliza’s original accent would be an example of this. Estuary English: A blend of RP and Cockney, often heard in areas around the Thames Estuary. Brummie: The accent of Birmingham, known for its unique vowel sounds. Scouse: The accent of Liverpool, recognized by its distinct intonation and nasal quality. Geordie: The accent of Newcastle upon Tyne, with its own vocabulary and pronunciations. Yorkshire Accent: A broad term for various accents within the county of Yorkshire, often associated with distinct vowel sounds and regional vocabulary. Scottish English, Welsh English, and Northern Irish English: Each of these nations within the UK has its own rich array of distinct accents and dialects, influenced by their respective histories and languages. These many accents demonstrate the rich linguistic diversity of Britain, and each is a complex and legitimate system of sounds, even if some carry more social prestige than others. 
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