The
beginning of the book was unusual, particularly the introductions of the
characters. Higgins is introduced into the story as the man lost in the crowd
noting the distinct pronunciation of words of various surrounding people. The
introduction was perfect for a character like Higgins. Even before readers know
his purpose in the story they already know a big part of his personality.
Higgins already seems full of himself and overly confident, and this
personality makes him interesting. Another odd introduction is that of
Pickering. It is very sudden and almost surprising. Pickering is there the
entire opening just as another bystander and it turns out he is some important
man that came from India. Then there is the flower girl, Eliza, her
introduction isn’t so much odd, but the reader does learn about her personality
and how she is from this opening scene. She is a hard to understand, helpless
nuisance making her very bothersome from the start. Her constant sobbing and
need to feel sorry for herself make it completely understandable how Higgins
treats her. Although, I feel this story is meant to follow Eliza I find Higgins
more intriguing and easier to identify with.
Every act is different from the last and that helps to make the book more interesting because you don’t feel you’re reading something multiple times while it also keeps the story moving. In the first acts you begin to meet important side characters, like Mrs. Pearce. Mrs. Pearce is very honest, which makes her a great balance for the in denial Eliza. Eliza asks to be turned into a lady, yet she complains about everything it takes to become one. She doesn’t want to bathe or when she is asked to say her alphabet she gets defensive. At some point it gets old and tiring. I wondered throughout if she acts like this for attention or if it is because a stable family didn’t raise her?
Furthermore, I like how the upper and lower class were contrasted and compared. The upper class such as Higgins and Pickering are more sure of who they are. Pickering is the kind-hearted gentleman who tends to steer away from conflict preferring to observe and not step out of his place. Higgins knows who he is as well; he is not afraid of a challenge and often says whatever comes to mind. Both of them seem to know what they want from life. However, Eliza represents the lower class and she sometimes seems lost or confused on what she wants. When she asks to be turned into this lady she seems hesitant and she seems she only wanted to change her lifestyle because the opportunity was presented. This makes the resemblance between her and Mr. Doolittle, her father, even stronger. Both are part of the lower class and Mr. Doolittle seems to be searching instead of settling. He almost mooches money from Higgins instead of working for his trade, and Eliza says she is a product of her sixth stepmother, so he’s not exactly content with what he has. However, I feel the author makes a point to compare the two classes. Eliza and Higgins are very similar in the fact they’re both stubborn making it difficult for the two to coexist. Even though they live differently they behave the same. This makes the point that ultimately they are all just human beings.
Every act is different from the last and that helps to make the book more interesting because you don’t feel you’re reading something multiple times while it also keeps the story moving. In the first acts you begin to meet important side characters, like Mrs. Pearce. Mrs. Pearce is very honest, which makes her a great balance for the in denial Eliza. Eliza asks to be turned into a lady, yet she complains about everything it takes to become one. She doesn’t want to bathe or when she is asked to say her alphabet she gets defensive. At some point it gets old and tiring. I wondered throughout if she acts like this for attention or if it is because a stable family didn’t raise her?
Furthermore, I like how the upper and lower class were contrasted and compared. The upper class such as Higgins and Pickering are more sure of who they are. Pickering is the kind-hearted gentleman who tends to steer away from conflict preferring to observe and not step out of his place. Higgins knows who he is as well; he is not afraid of a challenge and often says whatever comes to mind. Both of them seem to know what they want from life. However, Eliza represents the lower class and she sometimes seems lost or confused on what she wants. When she asks to be turned into this lady she seems hesitant and she seems she only wanted to change her lifestyle because the opportunity was presented. This makes the resemblance between her and Mr. Doolittle, her father, even stronger. Both are part of the lower class and Mr. Doolittle seems to be searching instead of settling. He almost mooches money from Higgins instead of working for his trade, and Eliza says she is a product of her sixth stepmother, so he’s not exactly content with what he has. However, I feel the author makes a point to compare the two classes. Eliza and Higgins are very similar in the fact they’re both stubborn making it difficult for the two to coexist. Even though they live differently they behave the same. This makes the point that ultimately they are all just human beings.
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