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Act Two

ICSE · Class 12 · English-Play: Pygmalion

Quick revision notes for Act Two — ICSE Class 12 English-Play: Pygmalion. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

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Key Topics to Revise

1

Setting and Atmosphere of Higgins's Laboratory

  • The laboratory is located on the first floor of Higgins's Wimpole Street home — a wealthy, respectable area of London.
  • The room is filled with scientific instruments: a phonograph, laryngoscope, tuning forks, organ pipes, wax cylinders, and a life-size model of the human vocal organs.
  • The scientific equipment symbolises Higgins's view of language as a science and people as subjects of study.
2

Eliza's Arrival and Her Purpose

  • Mrs. Pearce, the housekeeper, announces a 'common girl' who insists Higgins will be glad to see her.
  • Higgins is curious about her accent and tells Mrs. Pearce to bring her up — he prepares the phonograph to record her.
  • Eliza arrives wearing a hat with three ostrich feathers — orange, sky-blue, and red — looking tidied but still clearly of lower class.
3

The Wager — Pickering's Bet

  • Colonel Pickering formalises the experiment as a wager: if Higgins can pass Eliza off as a duchess at an ambassador's garden party, Pickering will cover all expenses.
  • This transforms Eliza from a person seeking help into a subject of a bet — a deeply ethical problem Shaw highlights.
  • Higgins accepts with enormous excitement and enthusiasm, calling it one of life's 'inspired follies.'
4

Mrs. Pearce as the Moral Voice

  • Mrs. Pearce, Higgins's housekeeper, repeatedly challenges Higgins to think about Eliza's welfare and future.
  • She asks the most important practical question: 'What is to become of her when you have finished your teaching?'
  • She warns Higgins about setting a bad example — his swearing, untidy habits, and careless behaviour at breakfast.

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Full Notes

Key Concepts

Higgins's room at Wimpole StreetEliza arrives at Higgins's laboratoryPickering formalizes the experiment by proposingHenry Higgins is portrayed asColonel Pickering serves as a crucial

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Act Two for ICSE Class 12 English-Play: Pygmalion?
Act Two covers several key topics that are frequently asked in ICSE Class 12 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in Act Two — ICSE Class 12 English-Play: Pygmalion?
Start by understanding all key concepts. Practise previous year questions from this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly. Use flashcards for quick revision before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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