Act Two
What is the audience's likely reaction to the set and what inferences would and audience make about Higgins?
What is Mrs Pearce's attitude to Eliza's accent and class and why is her attitude significant?
What effect on the audience does Eliza's entrance have?
Comment on Higgins' tone and attitude to Eliza? How does Eliza reply?
In the dialogue that follows, what do we learn of Eliza's and Higgins' characters? What does Higgins mean by "Lisson Grove prudery"?
Comment on Higgins' remark: "Oh no, I don't think so. Not any feelings we need bother about."
Why does Mrs Pearce object to Higgins' plan? What are her objections?
How does Higgins change tack in order to get his way? (Comment on his speech beginning "There! That's all you'll get out of Eliza...."
What does the bath scene show about Eliza's background?
Comment on the exchange between Higgins and Pickering beginning : "Are you a man of good character where women are concerned?" What is Higgins' attitude towards women?
Comment on the exchange between Higgins and Mrs Pearce about Higgins' language and manners.
Why are the exchanges between Doolittle and Higgins good comedy?
How does Doolittle point up some of the hypocrisies in society's attitudes?
What do his comments about marriage and his missus show about the position of women?
Why is this exchange good and effective social satire?
Act Three
What do we learn from the set about Mrs Higgins?
Comment on the relationship between Higgins and his mother.
Why does Shaw delay Eliza's entrance in this scene?
Why does Freddy laugh at Eliza's comment about the weather?
What are some of the qualities of this scene which make for excellent comedy?
What social issue is raised by Mrs Higgins' criticisms?
The whole of Act Three has a clear and definite structure. Describe that structure. How does it make the play more interesting and convincing?
Act Four
Why is the confrontation between Higgins and Eliza powerful drama?
Why is Eliza so upset? What does her behaviour show about her?
What has Higgins done wrong? What does his behaviour show about him?
What dramatic techniques does Shaw employ to give this scene greater resonance?
In what ways has Eliza been changed, and in what ways has she changed?
Try and sum up in your own words what Eliza and Higgins are arguing about.
Comment on Eliza's remark: "the Colonel says you should never leave home without ten pounds in your pocket". What is Eliza's problem?
Act Five
Why is Doolittle's second appearance even funnier than his first? (Comment on Shaw's timing here - his use of suspense and surprise).
Comment on Doolittle's attitude to his wealth.
How convincing do you think he is?
What social comment is Shaw making?
What important issues are raised in Eliza's dialogue with Colonel Pickering? What lesson has she learned from him?
What are the issues in Higgins and Eliza's final confontation?
What point is Eliza trying to make to Higgins?
What point is he trying to make to her?
What realisation does Eliza come to?
How do you interpret the ending of the play?
GENERAL QUESTIONS - PRACTISE ESSAY (1) Shaw uses comedy to raise and explore serious issues. Choose two characters in two or more scenes or incidents from the play and show how this is done.
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