R.1 Prose & Poetry Strand Review

How does the key element of characterization enhance the deeper meaning of transformation in Ovid’s Pygmalion?

• By illustrating the statue’s lack of agency, the story emphasizes the struggle for gender equality in society.

• By including Venus’s role as a goddess, the story weakens the idea that transformation is driven by human willpower.

• By depicting Pygmalion’s obsession with perfection, the story reinforces the theme of divine intervention in human desires.

• By portraying Pygmalion’s rejection of women, the story challenges the traditional idea of love and relationships.

Answer explanation

Pygmalion’s characterization as an artist consumed by ideal beauty illustrates the theme that transformation is beyond human control, requiring divine intervention from Venus to bring his creation to life.

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FL.ELA.10.R.1.1

Which of the following best analyzes how a key element enhances or adds to style in Shaw’s Pygmalion?

• By using dramatic dialogue, the play develops character interactions and reinforces social class distinctions.

• By describing Eliza’s emotions through third-person narration, the play creates a detached storytelling style.

• By relying on minimal stage directions, the play reduces the audience’s ability to interpret character development.

• By incorporating supernatural elements, the play mimics the mythological tone of Ovid’s Pygmalion.

Answer explanation

Shaw’s play relies heavily on dialogue to define characters, highlight social dynamics, and enhance the satirical tone, making it central to the play’s style. Unlike Ovid’s narrative style, Shaw’s Pygmalion uses speech patterns and accents to emphasize class differences and transformation.

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FL.ELA.10.R.1.1

How does Shaw's Pygmalion develop the theme of class struggle?

• By illustrating Higgins’ respect for all social classes, the play presents a world where class mobility is easily attainable.

• By showing Pickering’s rejection of upper-class ideals, the play suggests that wealth does not determine status.

• By demonstrating Eliza’s rejection of wealth, the play argues that class is irrelevant to personal success.

• By portraying Eliza’s struggle to be accepted in higher society, the play emphasizes the rigid class distinctions of the time.

Answer explanation

Eliza’s transformation in Pygmalion highlights how language and manners affect social mobility, but her struggle to be truly accepted by the upper class reveals the deep-rooted class divisions that cannot be easily overcome.

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FL.ELA.10.R.1.2

How does Ovid’s Pygmalion develop the themes of love and transformation?

• By illustrating Pygmalion’s rejection of art, the story emphasizes that transformation is more important than love.

• By depicting Pygmalion’s devotion to his statue and its eventual animation, the story connects idealized love with divine transformation.

• By showing Venus refusing to intervene, the story contrasts human desire with the impossibility of true change.

• By demonstrating Pygmalion’s reluctance to create, the story suggests that transformation is only possible through self-denial.

Answer explanation

Ovid’s Pygmalion links love and transformation by showing how the sculptor’s deep affection for his creation leads to divine intervention, reinforcing the idea that love has the power to inspire miraculous change.

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FL.ELA.10.R.1.2

How does Eliza’s transformation through speech lessons affect her perspective in Shaw’s Pygmalion?

• By realizing that proper speech alone does not guarantee respect, Eliza gains awareness of the limitations of social mobility.

• By rejecting Higgins’ lessons, Eliza decides to return to her old life as a flower girl.

• By accepting Higgins’ dominance, Eliza becomes dependent on him for her future.

• By forgetting her lower-class background, Eliza fully embraces her new identity without conflict.

Answer explanation

In Shaw’s excerpt, Eliza initially believes that learning to speak properly will elevate her status. However, she later realizes that speech alone does not grant her equal treatment, leading to a shift in her perspective on class and independence.

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FL.ELA.10.R.1.3

How does Ovid represent the perspective of Pygmalion differently from the perspective of the gods in the story?

• By showing Pygmalion eagerly accepting the first woman he meets, the story contrasts his openness with Venus’s reluctance to intervene.

• By depicting the gods as indifferent to human desires, the story contrasts their detachment with Pygmalion’s passionate devotion.

• By portraying Pygmalion as doubtful and hesitant while Venus confidently grants his wish, the story highlights the contrast between human uncertainty and divine power.

• By emphasizing Pygmalion’s rejection of transformation, the story contrasts his resistance with the gods’ insistence on change.

Answer explanation

In Ovid’s excerpt, Pygmalion prays hesitantly for a woman “like” his statue, not daring to ask for the exact transformation. Venus, however, understands his true desire and confidently grants his wish, illustrating the contrast between human uncertainty and divine decisiveness.

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FL.ELA.10.R.1.3

Which example of figurative language from Ovid’s Pygmalion contributes to the mood of wonder and transformation?

• “Pygmalion, having made his offering, stood by the altar, and said, shyly: ‘If you can grant all things, you gods, I wish as a bride to have...’”

• “He marvels: and passion, for this bodily image, consumes his heart.”

• “Now he addresses it with compliments, now brings it gifts that please girls, shells and polished pebbles.”

• “The ivory yielded to his touch, and lost its hardness, altering under his fingers, as the bees’ wax of Hymettus softens in the sun.”

Answer explanation

This simile compares the statue’s transformation to wax melting in the sun, enhancing the mood of wonder and transformation as the lifeless ivory begins to change under Pygmalion’s touch, signaling divine intervention.

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FL.ELA.10.R.3.1

How does the following figurative language from Shaw’s Pygmalion contribute to the mood of tension and conflict?

Excerpt: "Higgins [thundering at her]: Sit down."

• By portraying Higgins as a kind teacher, the text softens the mood of conflict.

• By emphasizing Higgins’ forceful command, the text creates a mood of dominance and resistance.

• By showing Eliza calmly obeying, the text removes any sense of tension.

• By describing Higgins speaking gently, the text creates a mood of comfort and understanding.

Answer explanation

The verb "thundering" suggests power and aggression, reinforcing the mood of tension and conflict between Higgins and Eliza as she struggles for respect and independence.

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FL.ELA.10.R.3.1

Which word from the excerpt best matches the definition “to change in shape or form” in this context?

"The ivory yielded to his touch, and lost its hardness, altering under his fingers, as the bees’ wax of Hymettus softens in the sun, and is molded, under the thumb, into many forms, made usable by use."

• yielded

• hardness

• altering

• molded

Answer explanation

The word “altering” means changing in shape or form, which directly relates to the transformation of the ivory as it softens and becomes more lifelike.

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FL.ELA.10.V.1.3

How does the word "baggage" contribute to the connotation of Higgins' attitude toward Eliza in the following excerpt?

"HIGGINS: Pickering: shall we ask this baggage to sit down, or shall we throw her out of the window?"

• By using the word "baggage," Higgins implies that Eliza is a burden, reinforcing his dismissive and demeaning attitude.

• By using the word "baggage," Higgins suggests that Eliza is carrying emotional weight, making him more sympathetic.

• By using the word "baggage," Higgins compares Eliza to luggage, emphasizing her independence and self-worth.

• By using the word "baggage," Higgins playfully teases Eliza, suggesting mutual respect.

Answer explanation

The word "baggage" has a negative connotation, suggesting that Eliza is an inconvenience rather than a person deserving respect. This reinforces Higgins’ view of her as insignificant and beneath him.

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FL.ELA.10.V.1.3