Pygmalion Acts 1 and 2 Quiz

Analyze how the setting of Covent Garden in Act 1 contributes to the themes of social class and transformation in "Pygmalion."

• It highlights the wealth of the characters and their indifference to the poor.

• It serves as a microcosm of London society, illustrating the interactions and divisions between different social classes.

• It is used only as a backdrop and has no thematic significance.

• It demonstrates the importance of weather in shaping character behavior.

Evaluate the motivations behind Professor Higgins’s decision to take on Eliza Doolittle as a pupil. What reasoning does he use to justify his actions?

• He wants to prove his superiority over Colonel Pickering.

• He is motivated by a bet and a desire to demonstrate his phonetic skills, believing he can transform Eliza’s social status through language.

• He feels genuine compassion for Eliza’s plight.

• He is seeking financial gain from Eliza’s transformation.

Using evidence from Act 2, explain how Eliza’s initial visit to Higgins’s laboratory reflects her character and aspirations.

• She is timid and easily manipulated, showing no real ambition.

• She is assertive and determined, demonstrating her desire to improve her life and social standing.

• She is confused and unaware of her surroundings.

• She is only interested in money and not in self-improvement.

Assess the significance of language and accent as depicted in Acts 1 and 2. How do these elements affect the characters’ interactions and perceptions of each other?

• Language and accent are irrelevant to the characters’ relationships.

• They serve as markers of social class, influencing how characters judge and treat one another.

• Only Eliza’s accent is important, not the others’.

• They are used solely for comedic effect.

Interpret the role of Colonel Pickering in the early acts. How does his behavior contrast with that of Higgins, and what does this reveal about their respective attitudes toward Eliza?

• Pickering is dismissive and rude, while Higgins is kind and patient.

• Pickering is respectful and considerate, treating Eliza as a person, while Higgins is often insensitive and treats her as a subject for experimentation.

• Both are equally indifferent to Eliza’s feelings.

• Pickering is more interested in phonetics than Higgins.

Based on the events of Acts 1 and 2, predict the potential challenges Eliza might face as she undergoes her transformation. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

• She will have no challenges because Higgins is an excellent teacher.

• She may struggle with losing her identity and facing prejudice from both her old and new social circles.

• She will immediately be accepted by high society.

• She will only face financial difficulties.

Critique the ethical implications of Higgins’s experiment with Eliza. What reasoning could be used to argue that his actions are problematic?

• He is helping Eliza out of pure kindness.

• He treats Eliza as an object for his own amusement and disregards her autonomy and feelings.

• He is following standard scientific procedure.

• He is acting under legal authority.

Examine the significance of Alfred Doolittle’s appearance in Act 2. How does his interaction with Higgins and Pickering reflect broader social themes in the play?

• It shows that all characters are equally wealthy.

• It highlights issues of class mobility, morality, and the commodification of relationships.

• It is included only for comic relief.

• It demonstrates the importance of education.

Using reasoning and evidence from the text, explain why Eliza insists on paying Higgins for her lessons in Act 2.

• She wants to assert her independence and avoid being seen as a charity case.

• She is required by law to pay for lessons.

• She is trying to bribe Higgins.

• She wants to impress Colonel Pickering.

Analyze how Shaw uses humor in Acts 1 and 2 to address serious social issues. Provide an example from the text to support your answer.

• Shaw uses humor to distract from the play’s serious themes.

• Shaw uses humor to expose the absurdities of social class distinctions, such as when Higgins classifies people by their accents.

• Shaw avoids humor in these acts.

• Shaw uses humor only in the dialogue between Eliza and her father.