Pygmalion: Act V

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Pygmalion Act V Postscript Quiz Class
Discussion

• Transformation Of Two Kinds and More

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Act V Transformation of Two Kinds and more

• Two Transformations
• Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman
• Elizas Relapses Class Issues
• Higgins and Elizas Battle of Will

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Higgins Role in Mr. Doolittles 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).
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1. Two Transformations

• 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)

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Group Report

• Mr. Doolittle (pp. 89-93 115-116)
• what do you think about his transformation in Act
  Vand 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?

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1. Which of the following is NOT part of Mr.
Doolittles Changes in Act V and the sequel?

• He is going to get married and learn middle class
  language.
• He becomes the center of his relatives attention
  now that he has a regular pension of 3 thousand a
  year
• He gets associated with the upper classes with
  his wit and middleclass morality.
• He has to give 6 speeches a year for the Moral
  Reform World League.

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Mr. Doolittle vs. Elizaboth dis-classed
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2. Creator/Creature vs. Self-Made Woman

• In what ways do Higgins, Mrs. Pearce, Pickering
  and Mrs. Higgins help Eliza get a better life?
• What does she achieve by herself?

From Romance to Social Realism Whether as
Pygmalion story or that of self-made woman,
Elizas story cannot be a complete success
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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.

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3. Which of the following suggests for Eliza
Higgins lack of respect for her? 

• (Choose the wrong one)

• (1) He doesnt 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.

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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. Pickerings calling the police
3. Pickerings asking Doolittle if Eliza has been
   buying him clothes.
4. Mrs. Higgins thinking that Mr. Doolittle can
   provide for Eliza.

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What has Eliza achieved in Act 5 and the sequel?

• (Choose the wrong one)

• She asserts herself and knows how to infuriate
  Higgins
• She knows better than to marry Higgins
• She continues to receive education in handwriting
  to improve her business.
• She finally believes that she has talent for
  business.

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Review Elizas Self-Transformation

• 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
• She still needs financial support
• She is still attracted to Higgins.
• She is limited in receiving education.

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3. Class Issues

• The difference between a lady and a flower girl
  is not how she behaves, but how's she's treated.
  Do you agree?
• Does Eliza have a relapse (to low-class
  manners) when she sees her father? (99)

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Group Report

• Class Mobility
• The difference between a lady and a flower girl
  is not how she behaves, but how's she's treated.
  Do you agree?
• What do you think about Elizas, Freddys and
  Claras changes, as explained in the postscript?
  

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The difference between a lady and a flower girl
is not how she behaves, but how's she's treated.

• Yes and No.
• Yes Ones 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.

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4. Higgins and Elizas Battle of Will

• 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?
• 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?
• Ending What do you think about the ending of
  Act V? Would you be happy with it as the plays
  ending (without the sequel)?

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Group Report

• 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?

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5. Which of the following is NOT part of Elizas
and Higgins rational argument?

• Higgins I'm not going to have my masterpiece
  thrown away on Freddy.
• Higgins the life of the gutter is real, warm and
  violent, unlike science, literature and classical
  music.
• 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.
• Higgins Making life means making trouble.

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First Battle in Act II
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2nd Battle in Act IV
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Their Battle of Wills in Act V
Higgins Eliza
0. (96) As possessive as a god (97) Does not trust Elizas 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 Elizas 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.
9 (the life of the gutter vs. the life of a scientist and lady) recognition ad equality 3Amazed at Elizas improvement in the mind. Three old bachelors together. 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"
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6. Which of the following is NOT an emotional
statement/moment of Higgins and Elizas?

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.

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What do they each want?

• Higgins
• Cannot live without her service
• Recognizes her intellectual values
• Cannot bear to see his creature marry under
  her.

• Eliza
• Love, respect and a secure position

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. ...
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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 youve read the sequel.

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Every Group Theme and Presentation

• About the story you chose, or Pygmalion

• 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.

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Journal 2 due 12/8

1. What have you learned from the mini play contest?
   From your own groups performance, and the other
   groups?
2. Does it help you understand or like literature
   more?
3. What were the problems you encountered, and were
   you able to solve them?

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Mini Play Contest Tentative Schedule
Play Group
10?26? General Introd Job Division
11?2? Act I and Act II. (pp. 11-37) Character Analysis
11?9? Act II III (pp. 38-71) Creative Adaptation
11?16? Act III-IV (pp. 71-87 Act V) Set and Prop
11?23? Act V and Postscript Theme and Presentation
11?30? Mid-Term (2) Rehearsal (1110-130)
12?7? Performance Day
12?8? Reflection Journal Onto the poetry units
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11/23 Class Discussion Questions (2)

• 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?
• 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.