Question

purpose for reading: the following passage is the opening scene of bernard shaws play pygmalion, which explores themes of social class and gender norms in england during the early 1900s. pay close attention to the dialogue between characters and consider the question: how does the setting amplify the characters frustrations and societal differences?
excerpt from pygmalion, by bernard shaw
act i
covent garden at 11.15 p.m. torrents of heavy summer rain. cab whistles blowing frantically in all directions. pedestrians running for shelter into the market and under the portico of st. pauls church, where there are already several people, among them a lady and her daughter in evening dress. they are all peering out gloomily at the rain, except one man with his back turned to the rest, who seems wholly preoccupied with a notebook in which he is writing busily.
the church clock strikes the first quarter.
what can be inferred about gender norms during the time period from the daughters line do you expect us to go and get one ourselves?
women were expected to be passive, while men were expected to be assertive.
women were considered equal to men in performing all tasks.
women preferred to handle physical duties so the men could relax.
women were encouraged to be independent and take care of themselves.

Explanation:

The passage is from a play, and the question is about gender norms. In the early 1900s, gender roles were more defined. Women were often expected to be passive in social settings compared to men. The text implies societal differences where men and women had distinct roles. For example, the description of the man writing busily (active) and the overall context of the scene (a rainy night at a church portico with people's behaviors) can hint at gender - related expectations. The line "Do you expect us to go and get one ourselves?" suggests that women were not typically the ones taking initiative (active, assertive tasks) as men might be.

Answer:

Women were expected to be passive, while men were expected to be assertive.