Pygmalion: Act V & Postscript
Quiz & Class Discussion
Transformation: Of Two Kinds and
More…
1.
2.
3.
4.
Two Transformations
Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman
Eliza’s Relapses: Class Issues
Higgins and Eliza’s Battle of Will
ACT V TRANSFORMATION OF
TWO KINDS AND MORE…
Higgins’ Role in Mr. Doolittle’s
Changes
1. the most original moralist at present in
England (“a silly joke”) Wannafeller
2. “Dustman! Oh no, sir: a gentleman.”
3. “Ruined me. Destroyed my happiness.
Tied me up and delivered me into the
hands of middle class morality” (91)
“you, Enry
Iggins”(90).
1) Mr. Doolittle (pp. 89-93): --what do you think about his
transformation? Is it funny? Ironical? What does it say
about Mr. Higgins and the issue of morality in Victorian
society?
-- And about Mr. Doolittle? Do you agree with him that taking
the money and being intimidated by middle-class morality is
the only choice he has?
2) How is he a contrast to Eliza? (re. money, class status and
marriage)
1. TWO TRANSFORMATIONS
Group Report
Mr. Doolittle (pp. 89-93; 115-116):
• what do you think about his transformation in Act V—
and in the postscript?
• What does it say about Mr. Higgins and the issue of
morality and class in Victorian society?
• Do you agree with him that taking the money and
being intimidated by middle-class morality is the only
choice he has?
• How is he a contrast to Eliza?
1. Which of the following is NOT part of Mr.
Doolittle’s Changes in Act V and the sequel?
1. He is going to get married and learn middle
class language.
2. He becomes the center of his relatives’
attention now that he has a regular pension of
3 thousand a year
3. He gets associated with the upper classes
with his wit and middleclass morality.
4. He has to give 6 speeches a year for the
Moral Reform World League.
Mr. Doolittle vs. Eliza—both “dis-classed”
Father
Daughter
1. Through a “silly joke” of
Higgins
2. Gain 3000 pounds a year.
1. 'Enry Iggins‘90,95
2. With a lot of money, tied to
middleclass morality; sought
after; refuses to take care of his
daughter.
3. intimidated and cannot choose.‘
4. [sequel]extremely popular in the
smartest society‘—upper class
1. self-motivated + H & P’s
bet
2. goes for education (accent,
manners and mind—more
later).
1. “Aa-ooo” when seeing her
father. (99) 'Enry Iggins‘ (108)
2. Has no money.
3. Improved her accent, language,
culture & mind;
4. Needs respect and tenderess
5. [sequel] chooses to work and
be independent.—middle
class
In what ways do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering
and Mrs. Higgins help Eliza get a better life?
What does she achieve by herself?
2. CREATOR/CREATURE VS.
SELF-MADE WOMAN
From Romance to Social Realism
Whether as Pygmalion story or that of “self-made woman,” Eliza’s
story cannot be a complete success
2. Why does Eliza address Pickering
nicely while ignoring Higgins?
1. Pickering paid for her dress.
2. Pickering does not treat a person
impolitely because he/ she is born in a
lower class.
3. Higgins asks her to go home with them.
4. She wants Pickering to call her Ms.
Doolittle.
3. Which of the following suggests for
Eliza Higgins’ lack of respect for her?
•(Choose the wrong one)
(1) He doesn’t take off his boots while Eliza
is in the room.
(2) He fights with Eliza and gives her black
eyes.
(3) He wants to see her damned.
(4) He calls her squashed leaf.
4. Where do Pickering and Mrs.
Higgins show their lack of trust in or
support of Eliza in Act 5?
•(Choose the wrong one)
1. Mrs. Higgins’ saying that Eliza will not go
back to Wimpole street.
2. Pickering’s calling the police
3. Pickering’s asking Doolittle if Eliza has
been buying him clothes.
4. Mrs. Higgins’ thinking that Mr. Doolittle
can provide for Eliza.
What has Eliza achieved in Act
5 and the sequel?
•(Choose the wrong one)
1. She asserts herself and knows how to
infuriate Higgins
2. She knows better than to marry Higgins
3. She continues to receive education in
handwriting to improve her business.
4. She finally believes that she has talent
for business.
Review: Eliza’s SelfTransformation
1.
2.
3.
4.
Asserting herself;
Fighting back in their battle of wills
[sequel] Making a wise choice of “the weak”;
[sequel] Continuous self-improvement
through going to classes
But – [sequel]
a. She still needs financial support;
b. She is still attracted to Higgins
c. She is limited in receiving education.
.
1) “The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not
how she behaves, but how's she's treated.“ Do you
agree?
2) Does Eliza have a “relapse” (to low-class manners)
when she sees her father? (99)
3. CLASS ISSUES
Group Report
Class Mobility
1) “The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not
how she behaves, but how's she's treated.“ Do you
agree?
2) What do you think about Eliza’s, Freddy’s and Clara’s
changes, as explained in the postscript?
“The difference between a lady and a
flower girl is not how she behaves, but
how's she's treated.“
Yes and No.
Yes – One’s social identity is relational (the
results of social interactions). We cannot
insists on a certain identity unless we are
recognized as such by others, or through some
rituals.
No – Since social identity is relational, we need
to produce signs and send out messages
expressive of this identity.
1) [Battle of Will] What do they each insist on and see as
goals of their lives? How do they change their tactics to win
the debate?
2) [Higgins’ changes] Acts IV & V show Higgins undergoing
changes regarding his views of and relation to Eliza. Where
are the turning points and are there traces of his affection
for her?
3) [Ending] What do you think about the ending of Act V?
Would you be happy with it as the play’s ending (without
the sequel)?
4. HIGGINS AND ELIZA’S
BATTLE OF WILL
Group Report
3. Higgins and Eliza
As in Act IV, Act V shows Higgins undergoing changes
regarding his views of and relation to Eliza.
Where are the turning points and are there traces of his
affection for her?
What kind of affection is it?
How would you interpret their relationship after having
read the postscript?
For everyone:
What do you think Eliza and Higgins want respectively?
5. Which of the following is NOT part of
Eliza’s and Higgins rational argument?
1. Higgins: I'm not going to have my
masterpiece thrown away on Freddy.
2. Higgins: the life of the gutter is real, warm
and violent, unlike science, literature and
classical music.
3. Eliza (re. Freddy): I never thought of us
making anything of one another; and you
never think of anything else. I only want to
be natural.
4. Higgins: Making life means making trouble.
First Battle in Act II
Higgins
•
•
•
•
Eliza
• Taking the initiative
• Confused and
Shocked
• Staying despite her
wanting to leave
Not interested
Tempted by the bet
All excited
Persuasive
2nd Battle in Act IV
Eliza
• Angry about being
ignored
• Worried about the
future
• Wins back a bit by
making separation of
the property.
Higgins
•
•
•
•
Surprised and uneasy
Dismissive
Offers solutions
Angered
Their Battle of Wills in Act V
Higgins
Eliza
0. (96) – As possessive as a god;
(97) – Does not trust Eliza’s improvement
(‘relapse’)
1. “real education” (97-98) cares about
manners, proper language and respect;
[Asks her to come back. ]
3. (after the interruption of Doolittle)
[equality 1] (102)
The same manner to everyone
2. [terms?] [usage as a maid] (102)
5. [Independence/arrogance] Can do
without anyone.
[with humility] I shall miss you.
4. [attention & equal treatment](103)
Will not be ‘passed over.’ Wants a sense
of importance and respect.
6. [equality 2] care for humanity, refutes
Eliza’s plea as commercialism; Offers
fellowship and to adopt her,
but refuses to change.
7. [kindness] Eliza (104-05) Complains
about the trouble he causes, not being
‘noticed.’ Still wants “a little kindness.”
-- (106) Thinks of Freddy as a solution.
Be natural, be friendly.
8. [Independence]
 marry Freddy
 [strike back] Threatens to assist the
Hungarian or to use the knowledge he
teaches her.
"By George, Eliza, I said I'd make a woman of
you; and I have"
9 (the life of the gutter vs. the life of a
scientist and lady)
[recognition ad equality 3]Amazed at
Eliza’s improvement in the mind. “Three
old bachelors together.”
6. Which of the following is NOT an
emotional statement/moment of
Higgins and Eliza’s?
1. When Eliza says she wants to marry Freddy.
2. “Eliza, are you ready?” Eliza: “Quite. Is the
Professor coming?”
3. When Higgins says he knows she can do without
him.
4. When Higgins says she can walk out on him if he
misbehaves.
What do they each want?
Higgins
1.Cannot live without her
service
Eliza
Love, respect and a
secure position
2.Recognizes her
intellectual values
3. Cannot bear to see his
“creature” marry under her.
Pickering! Nonsense: she's going to marry Freddy. Ha ha! Freddy!
Freddy!! Ha ha ha ha ha!! ! !! [He roars with laughter as the
play ends]. ...
Are there chances
for their getting married
at the end of Act V?
No, unless
• Higgins is willing to change himself and be
loving, or
• Eliza is willing to stay unmarried and inferior
to him.
More to discuss after you’ve read the sequel.
Every Group: Theme and Presentation
• About the story you chose, or
Pygmalion
1. Rehearse one scene of your play with all the actors and
actresses ready for their blocking and their speeches
memorized.
2. The director explains how this scene present the theme
of the play.
3. The whole class then gives suggestions as to where to
improve.
Journal 2: due 12/8
1. What have you learned from the mini play
contest? From your own group’s
performance, and the other group’s?
2. Does it help you understand or like
literature more?
3. What were the problems you
encountered, and were you able to solve
them?
Mini Play Contest: Tentative
Schedule
Play
10月26日 General Introd
Act I and Act II. (pp.
11月2日
11-37)
11月9日 Act II & III (pp. 38-71)
Act III-IV (pp. 71-87 +
11月16日
Act V)
Group
Job Division
11月23日 Act V and Postscript
Theme and
Presentation
Rehearsal
11月30日 Mid-Term (2)
Character Analysis
Creative Adaptation
Set and Prop
(11:10-1:30)
12月7日 Performance Day
12月8日 Reflection Journal
Onto the poetry
units …
11/23 Class Discussion
Questions (2)
3. Higgins and Eliza
1) As in Act IV, Act V shows Higgins undergoing
changes regarding his views of and relation to Eliza.
Where are the turning points and are there traces
of his affection for her? What kind of affection is it?
How would you interpret their relationship after
having read the postscript?
4. Everyone: Which endings do you like: that of
Act V, of the Postscript, of the film, or the
musical My Fair Lady? What meanings does
the ending produce for the whole text?
5. Every group: write up a multiple choice
question and send it to me before next
Monday.