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?\ act 1 excerpt from pygmalion, by bernard shaw 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. the playwright might have chosen to set this scene at night in a public place like covent garden because... it emphasizes the safety of london at night. it provides a busy and chaotic backdrop that intensifies the characters struggles. it illustrates the beauty of the city through vivid descriptions of the architecture. it showcases popular tourist attractions for the characters to visit.

Explanation:

The passage describes a busy and chaotic scene (torrents of rain, people running for shelter, etc.). This kind of setting can act as a backdrop that makes the characters' struggles (e.g., dealing with the weather, social interactions) more intense. For example, the man focused on his notebook while others are in the rain - such contrasts in behavior (a form of struggle or pre - occupation) are more noticeable against the busy and chaotic background.

Answer:

It provides a busy and chaotic backdrop that intensifies the characters' struggles.