Pygmalion Lesson Plan

Why is Liza so distressed during Act One? Is her reaction absurd or is it justified, and why?

First, all students should identify that Liza is distressed because she is afraid that a police informant is recording her speech. All students should recognize that the worry involves how she spoke to the gentleman, and whether she gave him a flower in return for the money that he handed her. They should also recognize that this worry is confirmed, and thus recognized as valid, by the bystander who warns her that she should give the gentleman a flower since her words are being recorded. Students should also note that in her distress, Liza repeatedly affirms her own good character,...