Who Colonel Pickering is
Colonel Pickering comes to London hoping to meet Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics. They meet while sheltering from the rain in Covent Garden, where Eliza Doolittle sells flowers. The two scholars are delighted with one another and agree to dine together.
What Colonel Pickering wants
Pickering takes an interest in Higgins's claim that changing Eliza's speech could let her pass as a duchess. When Eliza comes for lessons, he reminds Higgins of that boast and promises to pay if the experiment succeeds.
Colonel Pickering and the others in the story
During Eliza's training, Pickering tries to soften the work and treats her with unfamiliar courtesy. His manners contrast with Higgins's rudeness, giving Eliza two very different ways of being treated.
Yet Pickering also becomes absorbed in the experiment and gives little thought to Eliza's life after the lessons. Mrs Higgins warns both men that they are dealing with a living young woman, not merely a game.
Questions
Who is Colonel Pickering in Pygmalion?
Colonel Pickering is a scholar of Indian dialects who joins Higgins in the experiment to change Eliza's speech.
How does Colonel Pickering treat Eliza?
He treats her politely and tries to ease the harshness of her lessons. Eliza notices the difference between his courtesy and Higgins's careless cruelty.
What does Colonel Pickering promise to pay for?
He promises to cover the whole cost of the experiment if Higgins succeeds in passing Eliza off as a duchess.