Peoples Characters (how They Are Presented) Flashcards
How is Clara/the daughter presented in her first scene
Demanding, rude, impatient. She is selfish and spoiled while her mother is kind and considerate. Contrast between them.
How is the note taker presented in the first scene?
Very observant, picks up on minor details about how people talk and express their words. He uses these to figure out where they live or grew up.
Seems suspicious at first glance- the others thought he was an undercover police.
Doesn’t like how the flower girl speaks.
He is an expert in speech /science of speech.
Makes good money from his job- probably dresses quite smart.
Brags a lot.
Meticulous and rude when bragging about how he could ‘fix’ Eliza’s speech.
Doesn’t come off as friendly.
Obsessed/passionate about his work.
Paragraph summary of Higgins character
Henry Higgins is a brilliant but arrogant phonetics professor, obsessed with language and the nuances of speech. He is confident in his intellectual abilities, bordering on condescending, and shows little concern for the feelings of others. Higgins is blunt, sometimes abrasive, and treats people, including his social equals, as subjects of his experiments. Despite his cold demeanor, there’s an underlying sense of self-assuredness that reveals his deep belief in his own superiority and the value of his work
Give me a summary paragraph of Pickerings character
Colonel Pickering is a gentleman and a fellow phonetics expert, who contrasts with Higgins in his approach to teaching and social interaction. Pickering is kind, polite, and patient, especially with Eliza. He acts as a foil to Higgins, displaying more empathy and consideration toward her, even though he, too, is keen on observing her transformation. His behavior suggests a more nurturing side, making him a more sympathetic character compared to the domineering Higgins.
Give me a summary paragraph of Mrs Pearces character
Mrs. Pearce, Higgins’s housekeeper, is a sensible and practical woman, who plays a moderating role in the play. She is concerned with the well-being of the people around her, particularly Eliza, and often serves as a voice of reason, trying to ensure that Higgins’s experiments do not harm others or go too far. Her maternal instincts and no-nonsense demeanor make her an important stabilizing presence in the play.
Give me a summary paragraph of Eliza’s character
Eliza Doolittle begins as a poor, unrefined flower girl with a thick Cockney accent, but she is determined to better herself and seeks to learn from Higgins. Despite her initial lack of sophistication, Eliza shows strong willpower and a fierce sense of ambition. As she progresses through her lessons, she becomes more aware of her own potential, evolving from a mere subject of Higgins’s experiment into a more assertive, self-reliant individual.
Give me a summary paragraph of Alfred Doolittle
Alfred Doolittle, Eliza’s father, is a carefree, morally flexible man who has little concern for societal conventions. He is more interested in avoiding responsibility and seeking the pleasures of life, often manipulating others for his own benefit. He represents a kind of lower-class individual who rejects societal norms and embraces his own version of freedom, with a lack of ambition to improve his position, which contrasts with his daughter’s drive to better herself.
Name some adjectives about higgins
Arrogant, intelligent, rude, egocentric, prideful, condescending, innovative, ambitious, skeptical, controlling, eccentric, cold, self assured, blunt, patronising, unemotional, callous, chauvinistic. , impatient, inconsiderate, obligated , a bully
His passion for his job gives him tunnel vision. Lacks empathy. Class driven. Snobbery.
How is Higgins egocentric
Higgins is largely self-centered, focusing on his own achievements and desires, often ignoring the needs and feelings of others.
How is Higgins condescending
He frequently looks down on others, particularly Eliza, whom he initially treats as a mere experiment.
How is Higgins ambitious
He is driven by his personal goals and a desire for recognition in the field of linguistics
How is Higgins skeptical
He tends to doubt the capabilities or intelligence of others, particularly when they fail to meet his standards.
How is Higgins controlling
Higgins likes to have control over situations, particularly in his interactions with others, especially Eliza. He will also only teach her exactly how he wants even if it makes Eliza exhausted.
How is Higgins eccentric
He has unusual habits and behaviors, such as his obsession with phonetics and his lack of concern for societal norms.
How is Higgins blunt
He often speaks his mind without consideration for how his words might affect others, particularly Eliza
How is Higgins patronising
He sometimes treats people as if they are beneath him, especially those who are not well-educated or refined.
How is Higgins callous
At times, he shows a lack of empathy, as seen in his treatment of Eliza, reducing her to a mere project
How is Higgins chauvinistic
His attitudes toward women reflect the societal norms of his time, where he sees them as inferior or merely objects to be shaped
How is Higgins patriarchal
Higgins often assumes a position of power and authority over women and subordinates, reflecting a deep-rooted social hierarchy.
How is Higgins oblivious
He can be unaware of how others perceive him, especially when it comes to the emotional impact of his words or actions. He doesn’t see social cues. He lacks social skills.
How is Higgins 2 faced
He treats people of wealth with respect but he treats lower classes like dirt.
How is Higgins misogynistic
He treats women with less respect
