Short Questions with Answers
1. Who wrote “Dolly at the Dentist” ?
Answer : George Bernard Shaw.
2. What is the young lady holding in her hand?
Answer : A glass of water.
3. Why does the young lady call the dentist’s practice hurtful?
Answer : She says it’s his job to hurt people.
4. What does the dentist call himself?
Answer : A five-shilling dentist.
5. How long has the dentist been in his practice?
Answer : Six weeks.
6. Why did the young lady refuse gas?
Answer : It cost five shillings extra.
7. What view does the dentist’s room offer?
Answer : A view of the sea.
8. What system is the dentist’s chair bought under?
Answer : The hire-purchase system.
9. Who arrives at the clinic after Dolly?
Answer : Her brother, Philip.
10. What is the young lady’s name?
Answer : Dorothy Clandon, also called Dolly.
11. What is Philip’s relation to Dolly?
Answer : He is her twin brother.
12. Why do Dolly and Philip invite the dentist to lunch?
Answer : To acquaint themselves with him.
13. Where are Dolly and Philip from?
Answer : Madeira.
14. What are the books written by Mrs. Clandon called?
Answer : Twentieth Century Treatises.
15. Why did Dolly call herself related to a famous person?
Answer : Because her mother is a celebrated writer.
16. How much does the dentist charge for his services?
Answer : Five shillings.
17. What does Dolly suggest the dentist should do with his first fee?
Answer : Make a hole in it and wear it on his watch chain.
18. Why do Dolly and Philip avoid discussing their mother?
Answer : They find her fame frustrating.
19. What does Dolly criticize in the dentist’s room?
Answer : The furniture.
20. Who is the woman referred to as “The Woman of the Twentieth Century” ?
Answer : Their sister, Gloria.
Medium Questions with Answers
1. Why is the young lady aghast at the dentist’s statement about her tooth?
Answer : She is shocked to hear the dentist say hers was his first tooth in private practice. She believes patients who pay should not be experiments. Hospitals, in her opinion, are more suitable for beginners.
2. What does the young lady find amusing about the dentist’s practice?
Answer : She humorously mocks the small size of his practice and his use of rented equipment. Dolly critiques his reliance on the hire-purchase system for his chair and other instruments. Her teasing reflects her sharp wit.
3. What is the significance of the five-shilling coin?
Answer : Dolly gives the coin as his first private fee and suggests he drill a hole in it. She advises wearing it as a watch-chain memento. This playful gesture celebrates his starting career.
4. How does Dolly describe the dentist to her brother?
Answer : She describes him humorously as a young bachelor with a small, modest practice. She mentions his success with her tooth despite being a new practitioner. Her teasing tone hides genuine appreciation.
5. Why are Dolly and Philip’s books titled “Twentieth Century Treatises” ?
Answer : These books, written by their mother, address modern topics like conduct, cooking, and parenting. They reflect progressive thinking meant to influence contemporary living. The titles symbolize the new age’s spirit.
6. What does the dentist think about joining Dolly and Philip for lunch?
Answer : Initially, the dentist hesitates as they are strangers to him. However, their persistence and charm convince him. He eventually accepts, blending professionalism with newfound friendship.
7. How does Dolly react when the dentist inquires about her family?
Answer : Dolly humorously laments being overshadowed by her mother’s fame. She jokes about their father being unknown and playfully resists revealing details. Her reaction shows her witty yet frustrated side.
8. What qualities does Dolly display during her interaction with the dentist?
Answer : Dolly is witty, sharp, and inquisitive, often teasing the dentist. Her humor and confidence dominate the conversation. She demonstrates independence and a playful, spirited personality.
9. What is Philip’s attitude towards their upbringing?
Answer : Philip humorously mocks their mother’s books and teachings. He claims their minds resisted her efforts to improve them. His tone adds to the play’s humor and reveals his independent nature.
10. How does the conversation reflect Shaw’s humor?
Answer : Shaw’s humor is evident in the witty banter and ironic remarks. Dolly’s teasing and the dentist’s reactions create lighthearted yet meaningful exchanges. The dialogue balances comedy with critique.
11. Why does Dolly mock the dentist’s practice?
Answer : She points out the small size of his practice and rented furniture. Her teasing reflects her playful nature rather than malice. It adds humor while showing her inquisitive personality.
12. How does Philip handle Dolly’s indiscretions?
Answer : Philip quickly stops Dolly when her comments cross social limits. His sharp, practiced interjections balance her boldness. This dynamic creates an amusing sibling relationship.
13. Why do Dolly and Philip find England difficult?
Answer : They feel their straightforward attitudes clash with English reserve. They believe English society disapproves of their behavior. Their observations add humor to the cultural critique.
14. What role does wit play in the play’s dialogue?
Answer : Wit creates engaging and entertaining interactions. It showcases the characters’ intelligence and liveliness. Through humor, Shaw critiques societal norms.
15. Why does the dentist seem amused by Dolly?
Answer : The dentist finds Dolly’s playful remarks and inquisitiveness charming. Her teasing, though critical, is delivered in a lighthearted manner. This dynamic adds depth to their interactions.
Long Questions with Answers
1. Describe the interaction between Dolly and the dentist.
Answer : Dolly begins by questioning the dentist’s competence upon learning hers was his first tooth in private practice. She mocks his hired furniture, small practice, and five-shilling fee system. Despite her teasing, their conversation remains playful and humorous. The dentist enjoys her wit and responds with good humor. This interaction highlights their contrasting yet complementary personalities.
2. What does the play reveal about societal expectations?
Answer : The play critiques societal norms, including gender roles, class distinctions, and consumerism. Dolly’s confidence challenges expectations for women, while the dentist’s modest practice reflects struggles faced by professionals. Their humorous exchange hides deeper social commentary. Shaw emphasizes individuality and progressiveness. The dialogue mirrors real-life conflicts in a lighthearted way.
3. How does Shaw portray Dolly as a progressive woman?
Answer : Dolly is independent, confident, and witty, challenging traditional gender roles. She boldly critiques societal norms, questioning the dentist’s practice and her mother’s fame. Her teasing reflects intelligence and a modern attitude. Shaw uses her character to represent progressive ideals of the time. Dolly’s humor and confidence make her stand out in the narrative.
4. What role does the theme of “duel of sexes” play?
Answer : The play explores power dynamics between men and women through Dolly and the dentist’s interactions. Dolly’s sharp wit often places her in control of conversations. The dentist, while competent, struggles to match her verbal agility. Shaw highlights evolving gender roles through their exchanges. Their playful banter exemplifies equality in intellect and personality.
5. How does the dentist defend his modest practice?
Answer : The dentist openly admits his practice is small but fair, with a uniform five-shilling fee. He explains his rented equipment as a necessity of starting out. Despite Dolly’s teasing, he maintains professionalism and humor. His humility and honesty contrast with Dolly’s playful critiques. This balance creates a dynamic, relatable portrayal of a young professional.
6. Why does Dolly feel overshadowed by her mother’s fame?
Answer : Dolly resents being recognized only as Mrs. Clandon’s daughter. She laments that her individuality is undervalued due to her mother’s celebrated status as a writer. Her frustration is conveyed humorously through exaggerated remarks. This adds depth to her otherwise playful demeanor. Shaw uses her character to explore themes of identity and recognition.
7. Discuss the character of Philip as a counterpart to Dolly.
Answer : Philip complements Dolly with his calm humor and maturity. While Dolly teases boldly, Philip tempers her remarks with sharp, controlled interjections. He shares her disdain for their mother’s fame but expresses it more subtly. Their sibling dynamic adds humor and balance to the narrative. Together, they embody a mix of wit and charm.
8. What does the dialogue reveal about Shaw’s writing style?
Answer : Shaw’s dialogue is characterized by wit, humor, and sharp social critique. Through playful banter, he addresses deeper themes like individuality and societal expectations. His characters’ lively exchanges bring realism and relatability to the play. Dolly’s teasing and the dentist’s reactions highlight Shaw’s clever use of humor. The balance of comedy and critique is a hallmark of his style.
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