IV. Questions and Assignments

1. Say a few words about Mrs. Higgins' drawing-room; mention the quarter of London she lived in; say in what ways her drawing-room was unlike her son's room in Wimpole Street; in what way the furniture and the whole ornament reflected hertastes. Words to be used: to be (not to be) crowded with furniture; nicknacks; wall-papers; oil-paintings; chintz window curtains;elegantly simple writing table.

2. What kind of a try-out was Mrs. Higgins' at home for Eliza?

3. Comment on the dialogue between Mrs. Higgins and her son (pp. 53-63). How did he justify his bachelorship?

4. Summarize the dialogue between Mrs. Eynsford Hill and Higgins about "small talk".

5. Describe the famous tea-party scene at Mrs. Higgins':Eliza's first appearance in society. Pick out from the text word combinations, characterizing Eliza, " atriumph of Higgins' art and of her dressmaker": her appearance, her new refined manners, her pronunciation.

6. In what way did Eliza handle the prescribed topics of "the weather" and "everybody's health"? Define her style, her method of expression.

7. What happened to Eliza's speech when she let herself go on things in general? Comment on Eliza's "new small talk" that amazed and shocked the guests so much.

8. Discuss the guests' varying reactions to Eliza'shocking talk.Why did Clara try so hard to imitate Eliza's speech?

9. Speak on the exact state of things in Wimpole street. On what terms did Eliza live there?

10. Comment on the nature of Higgins' "absorbing experiment". What accounted for Eliza's wonderful progress?

11. What was Mrs. Higgins' attitude towards her son's experiment?

12. Say a few words about Nepommuck: his appearance, his wonderful gift, his occupation.

13. What was Higgins' opinion of Nepommuck?

14. Describe the emotional state Eliza was in and the impression she made on those present at the reception.

15. What was Nepommuck's opinion of Eliza.

16. What is Pickering's final statement showing Eliza's unmistakable triumph?

V. Comment on the following:

a) Mrs. Higgins' words: "Henry, you are the life and soul of the Royal Society's soirees, but really you are rather trying on more commonplace occasions." (p. 56).

b) Higgins' statement: "You see, we're all savages, more or less.We're supposed to be civilized and cultured – to know all about poetry and philosophy and art and science, and so on, but how many of us know even the meanings of these names?" (p. 57).

c) Higgins' opinion of Nepommuck: "He can learn a language in a fortnight – knows dozens of them. A sure mark of a fool." (p. 68).

VI. Pick out from the text words and word combinations used to greet and introduce people: use them in a short dialogue basedon the text of the play.

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