How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue.
Quote #1
THE DAUGHTER. Well, haven't you got a cab?
FREDDY. There's not one to be had for love or money.
THE MOTHER. Oh, Freddy, there must be one. You can't have tried.
THE DAUGHTER. It's too tiresome. Do you expect us to go and get one ourselves? (1.12-5)
The mother and daughter, Mrs. and Miss Eynsford Hill, reinforce typical notions of femininity. It is a man's job, not a woman's, to go out and brave the elements.
Quote #2
She is no doubt as clean as she can afford to be; but compared to the ladies she is very dirty. Her features are no worse than theirs; but their condition leaves something to be desired; and she needs the services of a dentist] (1.29)
Eliza is not intrinsically divided from her fellow women. The comparability of their features – the only things which, for Eliza, are not totally diminished by her poverty – only reinforces their equal standing as women.
Quote #3
HIGGINS. There! As the girl very properly says, Garn! Married indeed! Don't you know that a woman of that class looks a worn out drudge of fifty a year after she's married. (2.105)
Higgins's views are stereotypical, but his comments do speak to the difficulties which come with raising a family in poverty.