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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the last part of Act 3, Higgins and Pickering take Liza for her final test. Where does this "test" take place?

2. Why is Liza so angry with Higgins after the party?

3. What compliment does Higgins pay Liza during their discussion after the party?

4. What does Higgins say to Liza after she faces up to him and hurts his feelings in Act 4?

5. What do Higgins and Pickering fear might happen at the end of Act 3 to spoil their bet?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Higgins mean when he says that "my manners are exactly the same as Pickering's"? In what sense is he right? In what sense is he wrong?

2. What happens to Doolittle in Act 5? Explain how Higgins is responsible.

3. Describe Neppomuck. Who is he, and what does Higgins think of him?

4. Why doesn't Higgins want Liza to fetch his slippers for him and perform other like tasks?

5. What does Liza ultimately think of the party and of her success at the end of Act 3?

6. What do Neppomuck and the ambassador's wife conclude about Liza? What does it suggest about class differences and about high society that Liza is so easily able to fool everyone at the party?

7. What does Higgins conclude about the evening and about their joint project at the beginning of Act 4? What does he say that hurts Liza's feelings?

8. What does Higgins think Liza should do with her future? Does he really give it any thought?

9. During the social visit with Mrs. Higgins and the Eynsford Hills, what does Liza say that is shocking?

10. Why is Liza so upset in Act 4? What does she want to know?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about feminism in Pygmalion. In the Epilogue to his play, Shaw quotes Nietzsche in saying, "When you go to women, take your whip with you." Does Shaw agree or disagree with this statement? Is he a sexist or a feminist, in your opinion? Explain, using evidence from the play. Consider in your essay his characterization of Liza, Clara, Mrs. Higgins, and Mrs. Pearce.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the theme of nature versus nurture in the play Pygmalion.

Part 1) Henry Higgins transformsd Liza Doolittle. Does he really change her essential nature, or only the superficial aspects? Explain.

Part 2) Consider Pickering's statement, after the ambassador's party, that "Eliza was doing it so well. You see, lots of the real people cant do it at all: theyre such fools that they think style comes by nature to people in their position; and so they never learn." What does this say about Liza's natural sense of style?

Part 3) Consider how Liza was raised (reread Act 2 for her father's comments about how he raised her). Did Doolittle's nurture (or rather, lack of nurture) harm Liza? Is he to be blamed or credited for the way she is now?

Part 4) While Higgins changes Liza, is she able to do the same with him? Why, or why not?

Part 5) Consider this statement from Higgins: "I cant change my nature." Is this true? Can anyone really ever change his or her nature, or are all changes only superficial? Explain, using examples from the play.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about symbolism in the play.

Part 1) One of Liza's treasured possessions is a birdcage. Consider what a birdcage symbolizes in Liza's life. For instance, what imprisons Liza, and when does she ultimately become free? Examine in particular her conversations with Higgins in Acts 4 and 5.

Part 2) Higgins has a dish of chocolates on the piano. In Act 4, Liza puts her ring into the dish. Why does she do this? What do the chocolates and the ring symbolize for Liza?

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