Pygmalion: Act II

by George Bernard Shaw
In this play inspired by the Greek myth of Pygmalion, Professor Henry Higgins bets that he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower seller, into a cultured and genteel lady. Read the full texthere.

Here are links to our lists for the play: Preface–Act I, Act II, Act III, Act IV, Act V–Sequel
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. impetuous
    characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
    He is, in fact, but for his years and size, rather like a very impetuous baby “taking notice” eagerly and loudly, and requiring almost as much watching to keep him out of unintended mischief.
  2. petulance
    an irritable feeling
    His manner varies from genial bullying when he is in a good humor to stormy petulance when anything goes wrong; but he is so entirely frank and void of malice that he remains likeable even in his least reasonable moments.
  3. brusquely
    in a blunt direct manner
    HIGGINS [brusquely, recognizing her with unconcealed disappointment, and at once, baby-like, making an intolerable grievance of it] Why, this is the girl I jotted down last night. She’s no use: I’ve got all the records I want of the Lisson Grove lingo; and I’m not going to waste another cylinder on it.
  4. declaim
    recite in a skilled and formal way
    HIGGINS [declaiming gravely] Eliza, Elizabeth, Betsy and Bess, They went to the woods to get a bird’s nes’:
  5. modulation
    when the loudness, pitch, or tone of the voice is modified
    HIGGINS [with professional exquisiteness of modulation] I walk over everybody! My dear Mrs. Pearce, my dear Pickering, I never had the slightest intention of walking over anyone. All I propose is that we should be kind to this poor girl.
  6. elocution
    an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice
    HIGGINS [wounded in his tenderest point by her insensibility to his elocution] Oh, indeed! I’m mad, am I?
    Literally, "indeed" means "in fact" but it is often used to express the opposite reaction (such as surprise, skepticism, or irony) to something said or done. Here, Higgins is hurt that his display of elocution did not impress Liza. Indeed, she thought that he, his manner of speech, and his words were "balmy" (slang for "mentally irregular"). Higgins does not agree with this view of him, but unlike Liza, he is able to respond with words, commands, and actions.
  7. remonstrance
    the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
    PICKERING [in good-humored remonstrance] Does it occur to you, Higgins, that the girl has some feelings?
  8. presumptuous
    going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous
    At the end of six months you shall go to Buckingham Palace in a carriage, beautifully dressed. If the King finds out you’re not a lady, you will be taken by the police to the Tower of London, where your head will be cut off as a warning to other presumptuous flower girls.
  9. emphatically
    in a forceful manner; with emphasis
    HIGGINS [indignantly] I swear! [Most emphatically] I never swear. I detest the habit. What the devil do you mean?
  10. diffident
    lacking self-confidence
    Here I am, a shy, diffident sort of man. I’ve never been able to feel really grown-up and tremendous, like other chaps.
  11. blackguard
    someone who is morally reprehensible
    PICKERING. He may not be a blackguard, Higgins.
    HIGGINS. Nonsense. Of course he’s a blackguard.
    PICKERING. Whether he is or not, I’m afraid we shall have some trouble with him.
  12. audacity
    aggressive or outright boldness
    Your daughter had the audacity to come to my house and ask me to teach her how to speak properly so that she could get a place in a flower shop.
  13. extort
    obtain by coercion or intimidation
    This is a plant — a plot to extort money by threats.
  14. rhetoric
    using language effectively to please or persuade
    Pickering: this chap has a certain natural gift of rhetoric. Observe the rhythm of his native woodnotes wild. “I’m willing to tell you: I’m wanting to tell you: I’m waiting to tell you.” Sentimental rhetoric!
  15. incensed
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    She puts out her tongue at him. He is so incensed by this that Pickering presently finds it necessary to step between them.
Created on Mon Feb 09 15:09:24 EST 2015 (updated Fri Aug 01 18:17:45 EDT 2025)

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