Flower Off A Poor Girl example essay topic

THE FLOWER GIRL Strong dialect indicates she is not originally from London, possibly not educated at all. Easy going girl, very young. Doesn't seem to think about consequences of her words or actions- she calls Freddy "deah", and "Freddy". (her appearance is described to the minutest detail, leaving hardly anything for the imagination of the reader) She seems quick, intelligent, and shrewd enough to look after her own interest / gain. This we can see by the way she jumps at the slightest chance to make good a sale. When she realizes that the woman near her is Freddy's mother, she immediately asks her to pay for the ruined violets.

At this point she seems quite streetwise, quite capable of looking after herself. She goes all the way in trying to make a sale, as we can see by her words: " I can give you change for a tanner". She calls The Mother "kind lady" so she obviously knows the right way to approach people. Despite her obvious poverty, she is quite aware of the need for good manners.

She says when Freddy knocks her down and runs off; "There's manners f' yer!" And "Thank you kindly, lady". She accepts the extra money without hesitation, perhaps even expecting The Mother to let her keep it. One may feel that she offers the change for "a tanner", knowing well that it will not really be taken. She is also shrewd enough to realize the motive behind The Mother's kindness and generosity (the fact that she wanted to know how the girl knew her son's name) and makes sure she pockets the money before she tells her that she had no idea that Freddy was the boy's name, and had used it generally. Even if she did know Freddy, she has no intention of revealing it.

She is smarter than The mother gives credit for. When she tries to sell some flowers to The Gentleman who comes in, she again does so by becoming familiar with him: "So cheer up, Captain, and buy a flower off a poor girl". This makes us feel that perhaps she really did not know Freddy after all. Also, like, most street vendors, she uses her poverty to sell her good, by repeatedly calling herself a poor flower girl.

She tries her I-have-the-change-routine again but this time is quite unsuccessful. Yet, her next tactic, being insistent, gets her three half pence. "Oh do buy a flower off me, Captain". She reacts quickly to everything, not just to prospective buyers, but we see this in her reaction to The Note Taker as well.

She is very vocal about the way she feels, creating an instant commotion. Either she does not stop to think of consequences, or she feels that her fit will win her the sympathy of the others and scare off The Note Taker. On the whole, one can say, that Shaw, through dialogue, has managed to portray a very realistic picture of a lively, amusing character; light hearted, exuberant, obviously intelligent, full of life and energy... THE NOTE TAKER An older man as seen by his speech and the tone it seems to convey.

Not easily disturbed, scared or looses control. Does not over react. He is overbearing, dominating, , condescending: .".. who's hurting you, you silly girl?" Seems to be quite confident and secure in his own identity, so probably has some social standing. Does not know much about dialects / slang, yet seems very interested in finding out: "What's a copper's nark?" He is obviously quite amused and contemptuous of The Flower Girl and the others. Seems to be practical and down to earth, direct. Repetition of words in order to pacify the girl shows that he considers her as someone of little sense, almost less than a human being.

"There! there! there! there! ... ."Oh shut up, shut up... ". He seems to be prejudiced.