Pygmalion Discussion Questions

Pygmalion discussion questions

1. What does Higgins claim he can do by changing Eliza?

2. Why does Shaw include a long description of Eliza’s house?

3. How do each of the following treat Eliza: Higgins, Pickering, Mrs. Pearce

4. What is Higgin’s attitude towards women? Give evidence.

5. How is Pickering a foil for Higgins?

6. Explain Alfred Doolittle’s criticism of the middle class.

7. How is Henry Higgins a stereotypical character?

8. Compare/ contrast how Eliza and Clara speak at Mrs. Higgin’s home. Why do you think Shaw might have included Clara in the play?

9. What does Shaw satirize in Act III?

10. Does Eliza really love Freddy? Explain.

11. Who is the protagonist in Pygmalion? What conflict does this character face?

12. When does Higgins realize that Eliza is upset with him? What is bothering her? What do you learn of their relationship?

13. Describe the internal conflict within Higgins (Act IV).

14. Discuss the basic differences between Higgins’s and Eliza’s concepts of human relationships.

15. Is Eliza a flat or round character? Explain.

16. Why is Eliza grateful to Pickering? What do her remarks to him suggest about how she has changed?

17. How does Higgins justify his treatment of Eliza? Why doesn’t she accept his justification? Do you? Why or why not?

18. What function does Doolittle play in Act V? How would the play change if his character were omitted?

19. Name two contemporary stories/ movies that are similar to Pygmalion. Draw comparisons. Pygmalion discussion questions

20. What is an epilogue? What is a romance?

21. How does Shaw explain his decision to call the play a romance?

22. What reasons does Shaw give in the epilogue for Eliza not wanting to marry Higgins?

23. How would you describe Shaw’s attitude toward marriage as expressed in the epilogue? Use evidence from the play to support your answer.

24. What does Shaw’s discussion about Freddy’s weakness imply about Eliza’s character?

25. Doe you agree with Shaw that strong people are drawn to weaker people and vice versa? Explain.

26. Draw at least five parallels between Frankenstein and Pygmalion.