She's first approached by Professor Higgins, a phonetics expert, as part of his bet with Colonel Pickering that he can transform her into a "lady" by teaching her proper speech and etiquette. Eliza is initially reluctant because:
* She doesn't understand the purpose of the lessons: She's confused about what Higgins wants from her and sees no benefit in changing her way of speaking.
* She fears being mocked and ridiculed: She's aware of her lower-class background and fears being ridiculed for trying to be someone she's not.
* She doesn't trust Higgins: She sees him as arrogant and condescending, and doesn't believe he genuinely cares about her well-being.
However, Eliza eventually agrees to take lessons because:
* She sees the potential for economic and social advancement: Eliza realizes that acquiring proper speech could open doors for her and allow her to escape her impoverished life.
* She is intrigued by the challenge: Despite her initial fear, Eliza is drawn to the challenge of transforming herself and proving Higgins wrong.
* She is drawn to Higgins's attention: Despite his brusque demeanor, Eliza is intrigued by Higgins's intelligence and sees him as a powerful and influential figure.
In essence, Eliza is motivated by a combination of practicality, ambition, and a desire to prove herself.