Pygmalion Acts 1-2

What is revealed about Freddy during the cab argument?

Freddy is weak and submissive; his mother and sister boss him around and treat him like a failure.

Why does Mrs. Eynsford Hill give the flower girl sixpence?

Not kindness—she wants to stop a scene and protect her family’s reputation.

Why is Eliza upset about the gentleman writing down her speech?

She thinks he is a police informant and fears arrest.

“My character is the same to me as any lady’s” means what?

Eliza defends her dignity and says her reputation matters as much as a rich woman’s.

What idea does Higgins stress in his speech about “disgusting sounds”?

Speech defines humanity; bad English limits your future.

Why must a maid or shop assistant speak better English than a lady?

A lady has status by birth; workers need proper English to survive and get hired.

Why does Higgins throw Eliza coins as he leaves?

Out of arrogance; a dismissive gesture to feel charitable and end the talk.

How does Mrs. Pearce feel about Higgins’s visitors?

Disapproving; she thinks they are improper and disturb the house.

Why won’t Higgins record Eliza again in Act 2?

He already recorded her and has enough Cockney samples.

Why does Eliza want lessons?

To work in a flower shop and improve her life with better English.

Why can Pickering get Eliza to sit when Higgins cannot?

Pickering shows respect and calls her “Miss Doolittle”; Higgins insults her.

What impresses Higgins about Eliza’s shilling?

It’s a huge sacrifice compared to her income.

How does Mrs. Pearce think ahead about Eliza’s future?

She asks what will happen to Eliza after the lessons are over.

How does Eliza react to the bedroom and bathroom?

Bedroom: nervous but excited. Bathroom: scared and suspicious of bathing.

Why does Alfred Doolittle visit Higgins?

To extort money, pretending to defend his daughter’s virtue.

How does Higgins surprise Doolittle?

He calls his bluff and offers to send Eliza back, exposing his greed.

What kind of relationship do Eliza and her father have?

Transactional and neglectful; he only appears for money.

What happens when Eliza succeeds or fails in lessons?

Right: rewarded with chocolates. Wrong: yelled at and threatened.