Who Eliza Doolittle is
Eliza Doolittle first appears selling violets on a rainy night in London's Covent Garden. Her strong accent leads the well dressed people nearby to hear poverty rather than recognize her worth. When Henry Higgins records her speech, she fears that he is a police informer.
What Eliza Doolittle wants
Eliza wants better work, and she believes that changing her speech can open the door to a flower shop. She visits Higgins in her best clothes and offers to pay for lessons from her small earnings. Her ambition is practical, but her pride also makes her answer back when he insults her.
Eliza Doolittle and the others in the story
Higgins sees Eliza as a challenge for his skill, while Colonel Pickering treats her with unfamiliar courtesy. Mrs Pearce tries to protect her from Higgins's careless cruelty and asks him to watch his behaviour. Mrs Higgins also recognizes that the lessons affect a living person whose future needs thought.
How Eliza Doolittle changes
As Eliza's speech improves, she changes how she carries herself and grows in confidence. A visit to Mrs Higgins shows that a polished accent does not settle every question of belonging. Her choice of words still surprises the guests, revealing how social expectations reach beyond pronunciation.
A best-known line
“Walk! Not bloody likely. I am going in a taxi.”
Questions
Who is Eliza Doolittle?
Eliza is a London flower girl whose speech lessons become the centre of a wager between Higgins and Pickering.
Why does Eliza want speech lessons?
She wants to speak well enough to get a job in a flower shop.
How does Pickering treat Eliza?
Pickering treats her politely and tries to soften Higgins's harsh teaching. She notices the difference between his courtesy and Higgins's rudeness.