Pygmalion

MASSEY hILL CLASSICAL hIGH sCHOOL |

Summer Reading |

Pygmalion |

|

Katy Kenny |

9/1/2011 |

Setting: London, England. The setting in time is somewhat vague although due to internal references it seems to be set during the reign of Queen Victoria aka the Victorian era.

Character Name | Role in the Story | Adjective that describes the Character |

Eliza Doolittle | Main Character #1 | Unconventional |

Professor Henry Higgins | Eliza’s reformer | Bully |

Colonel Pickering | Higgins match | Considerate |

Freddy Eynsford Hill | Eliza’s marriage option | Lovesick |

Mrs. Higgins | | |

| | |

| | |

Major Conflicts: Mr. Doolittle and Mr. Higgins’ conflict over Eliza. Is rather idiotic, in my opinion. Mr. Higgins wouldn’t really listen to anything Mr. Doolittle was saying.

I didn’t encounter any words I did not understand besides another language. And personally I do not think another language counts as words that I did not understand or know.

Themes: Learning to overcome obstacles; learning a “new” language on Eliza’s part.

Passage 1

“Freddy. Nothing. I spend most of my nights here. It’s the only place where I’m happy. Dont laugh at me, Miss Doolittle.

Liza. Dont you call me Miss Doolittle, do you hear? Liza’s good enough for me. [She breaks down and grabs him by the shoulders] Freddy: you dont think I’m a heartless guttersnipe, do you?

Freddy: Oh no, no, darling: how can you imagine such a thing? You are the loveliest, dearest-

He loses all self-control and smothers her with kisses. She, hungry for comfort, responds. They stand there in one another’s arms.”

This passage was memorable because Freddy claims to be in-love with Eliza after only having met her once. And during their first meeting they barely even spoke. So I find it to be ridiculous that Freddy could be in love with Liza.

Pg. 86

Passage 2

“Liza [taking a ring off] This ring isnt the jeweller’s: it’s the one you bought me in Brighton. I dont want it now....