Pygmalion Syllabus Linder

Tues 1/6 George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, Preface and Act One. Vocab: gumption (14), brogue (26), bilious (27), mendacity (28), prodigal (31). What kind of world is described in this act? What are the values, pastimes, interests and concerns of this world? Do you see any of the play’s themes emerging? If so, what do they seem to be?

Wed 1/7 Pygmalion, Act Two. Vocab: petulance (34), pathos (36), elocution (42), dogmatic (49), blackguard (53), remonstrate (54), incensed (61). How would you describe Higgins’s attitude toward Eliza? Do you think Shaw approves of this attitude or not, and why? What seems to be Shaw’s attitude toward Higgins? (consider especially his description in the stage directions).

Thurs 1/8 Pygmalion, Act Three. Vocab: caricature (66), straitened, brusque (70), pedantic (73), extricate, imprecation (75), voluble (87). What seems to be Mrs. Higgins’s attitude toward her son? Why is this different than Pickering’s attitude toward him, and how? What reaction do each of the Eynsford-Hills have to Eliza? Why is her conversation with them so humorous?

Fri 1/9 Book talks and independent reading

Mon 1/12 Pygmalion, Act Four. Vocab: cant (103), asunder (108), resplendent (113), repudiate (116), reproach, incorrigible (123). Why does Eliza react as she does to Higgins in Act Four? How has she changed over the course of the play?

Tues 1/13 Pygmalion, Act Five. Vocab.: resplendent (113), repudiate (116), reproach, incorrigible (123). After reading the end of Act Five, consider this play as a comedy. In what sense is it comedic, and how does it differ from the classical definition of comedy we discussed first semester?

Wed 1/14 Read Pygmalion “Sequel” (pp. 134-48). Brainstorm ideas for a brief comparison between Pygmalion and Frankenstein (typed, one double-spaced page, due Tuesday 1/20). What do these stories have in common, if anything, and how are their similarities significant? Does Higgins do Eliza a disservice in “re-creating” her and/or in his treatment of her throughout the play? Do Higgins and Eliza have anything in common with Victor Frankenstein and his creation? In what significant ways are they different? In class: view and discuss scenes from My Fair Lady.

Thurs 1/15 Emma,Vol I, Ch. 1 (7 pp.) Vocab: alloy (1), endeavor (6), unaffected (7). What is your initial impression of Emma? What does her father think of her? What does Mr. Knightley think of her? What does she think of herself? Does the narrator’s perception of her seem different than her own? Find quotes to illustrate each perspective.

Fri 1/16 Book talks and independent reading