Unit 4 Pygmalion

Reading
(Act One) Fateful meetings

A brief introduction to George Bernard Shaw:

Born
In 1856

Nationality

Ireland

Achievements Nobel Prize for Literature in1925

Irish dramatist, literary critic, a socialist spokesman

Works
Arms and the Man(1894) The Devils Disciple(1897) Superman(1905) Androcles and the Lion(1912)

Pygmalion(1913), adapted as the musical play My Fair Lady in 1956

Personality
Humorous and witty

Death

In 1950

A story about him:

One day ,Shaw took part in a grand party, in which he met the then Prime Minister Churchill. Churchill was very fat at that time whereas Shaw was very thin. Churchill said to Shaw very sharply, When people see you ,they will know how poor the country is. And then Shaw answered very quickly, When people see you, they will know the reason why our country is so poor.

Reading
Have you ever seen the film My Fair Lady?
Do you like it ? Why?

Fateful meetings

Questions:
1. How many characters are there in the play?
Three. They are Eliza, Professor Higgins, and Colonel Pickering.

2. Whats the weather like when the play begins?

When the play begins, it is pouring with rain.

3. Do you think Eliza a well-educated woman? Why?

No, she is a poor-educated woman. We can know it clearly from what she said and her behavior.

Read the play quickly then finish the following multi-choice exercises:
1. This text is mainly about the first experience of Eliza meeting with ______. A. Professor Higgins B. Colonel Pickering C. Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering D. a gentleman

2. Eliza greeted to the gentleman in order to _______. A. ask him to buy some flowers from her B. talk with him C. ask him to teach her D. beg some money from him 3. Why Eliza began to cry? Because _______. A. she thought Professor Higgins would arrest her B. the gentleman didnt give her some money C. Pickering beat and scolded her D. there was no reason

4. Professor Higgins believed that he could judge a person by _______. A. his appearance B. his action C. his conversation D. his manners 5. From the text , we can infer that Professor Higgins is a man described below EXCEPT _________. A. he doesnt care about money B. he is an expert in phonetics C. he is proud D. he is greedy

Comprehending Character Position Evidence in the play in society Behaviour: respectful to people of higher class Lower Language: calls Eliza class gentleman sir and capin (or captain) which is a compliment

Character Position Evidence in the play in society Behaviour: rude (and patronizing) to lower class; polite to Middle same or upper class Henry class Language: calls Higgins Eliza you silly girl and Pickering my dear man (an equal and friend)

Character

Position in society

Evidence in the play Behaviour: generally confident and polite; but ignores Eliza Language: prepared to begin a conversation with Henry, whom he does not know; generous with praise to him

Colonel Pickering

Upper class

Relationships Evidence from the play between characters Henry Higgins: 1 respects his 1 Attitude to Colonel professional work as Pickering (H) a phonetician; calls 2 Attitude to Eliza (L) him sir and my dear man Is the statement true? 2 watches her; notes her 1 Yes; 2 Yes reactions; talks about her in front of her; calls her silly girl

Relationships between characters Colonel Pickering: 1 Attitude to Henry Higgins (L) 2 Attitude to Eliza (L) Is the statement true? 1 Yes; 2 Yes

Evidence from the play

1 appreciates his expertise; praises him; asks his opinion; happy to be friends
2 ignores her; does not stop Henry when he talks about Eliza in front of her (which is very rude)

Relationships between characters Eliza: 1 Attitude to Henry Higgins (H) 2 Attitude to Colonel Pickering (H) Is the statement true? 1 Yes; 2 Unclear

Evidence from the play

1 anxious; eager not to do the wrong thing; ambitious to improve herself; respectful and curious about Henrys expertise
2 resents not being included in the conversation when talked about

impatient, rude, confident, superior, self-important

kind, polite, generous, enthusiastic, eager, confident

anxious, eager, emotional, ambitious, unsure

Homework:
1.Read the play repeatedly and try to act out the play.
2.Find out some difficult words and expressions in the play.

See you next time!