ACT I
Vocabulary: Use each in a sentence with appropriate detail to show how well you know the word. You
can change its tense to better fit your sentence. I did deprecating for you.
portico-a covered passageway
gumption-drive and initiative
draught-[U.S.–draft] a current of air
plinth-the rectangular base of a column
deprecating-to express disapproval of (Spitting on our nation’s flag would draw deprecation from many
patriotic citizen and possibly result in legal action.)
repudiate-to refuse to be concerned with or responsible for, to refuse to accept something as valid
or true
haughtily- too pridefully
bilious- ill-tempered
mendacity-untruthful
florins-British coins
Comprehension questions: responses should be in full sentences
1. The first three characters we meet are minor ones who will reappear later.
Briefly describe the following:
A. The mother –
B. Freddy, the young gentleman –
C. The daughter Clara –
2. Although Shaw’s stage directions are lengthy, be sure to read them because the information
included there is important. How does he describe the flower girl that Freddy bumps into?
3. Why does the flower girl accuse Freddy, the young gentleman, of a lack of manners? Why is
his mother worried that the flower girl may know her son by name?
4. Why does the bystander tell the flower girl to be careful? Why does she insist, “I’m a
respectable girl: so help me, I never spoke to him”?
5. What is it that the note taker, who has been mistaken for a “copper’s nark,” has been
writing in his notebook. What is a “copper’s nark”?
6. Describe the attitude of the crowd toward the note taker.
7. What technique does Shaw use to get this crowd of people in a situation where the note
taker will be able to show off his abilities.
8. Earlier, the flower girl says that Freddy lacks manners. For what reasons can it be said that
the young Clara and the note taker lack manners?
9. Why does the note taker say, “This is an age of upstarts”? How does he profit financially
from this new social class?
10. The note taker says, that the flower girl’s English “will keep her in the gutter to the end of
her days.” Given what you know about the setting of this play, do you think that is
possible? Is it possible today?
11. Higgins’ comments about his philosophy and how he makes money raise a couple of questions:
a. If people change their speech patterns and behavior to pass as upper class, then are these the only
barriers to moving up during this time period? Explain.
b. If people do change their speech, mannerisms and behaviors to fit in, are they betraying their culture?
Explain why or why not.
12. On what comic note does this act end?