OLIVER
GOLDSMITH - SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER
The play, also referred to as The
Mistake of a Night is a satiric piece that focuses on the theme of marriage
amongst others to critique the sentimentalism that paraded the theatrical
productions of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Thus, Goldsmith
employs comedy which is resuscitated from death throes (prologue) to satirise
human foibles and frivolities in his environment and society. The play has five
Acts including a prologue and epilogue. The prologue is spoken by a character
who does not take part in the play while the epilogue is spoken in the
character of Tony Lumpkin.
ACT
ONE
SCENE
ONE: Mr Hardcastle’s House
Mrs Hardcastle and husband, Mr
Hardcastle, are discussing. While Mrs Hardcastle expresses her frustration at
Mr Hardcastle’s refusal to take them both to the town (London) to rub off the
rust of the countryside, Mr Hardcastle expresses his opinion that people only
return from the town (London) with variety of affectation. A Mrs Hardcastle
complaint of being among everything that is old elicits a mention of her old
age which she disputes with her husband. This conversation brings about the introduction
of Tony Lumpkin, Mrs Hardcastle’s son and Mr Hardcastle’s stepson whom she gave
birth to at age twenty. Their discussions about Tony reveal him to be an
unserious individual who the mother Mrs Hardcastle pampers and overestimates.
Tony arrives on the scene whooping in
confirmation of Mr Hardcastle’s complaints of his frequent shouts of
excitement. Tony announces he is on his way to The Three Pigeons, a drinking
joint, and leaves despite his mother’s remonstration for him not to go. Their
departure leads to Mr Hardcastle’s Aside where he expresses his disapproval of
mother and child’s behaviour and bring to us his daughter Kate and her
affectations. Kate Hardcastle comes on the scene and dressed in her French
frippery. Mr Hardcastle informs Kate of the impending visit of a suitor for her
that is Mr Marlow, who is the son of Mr Hardcastle’s friend, Sir Charles
Marlow. Kate likes everything about Marlow’s traits except his bashful and
reserved nature which Miss Neville later throws light on. She informs Kate that
Marlow is modest among those from his class but behaves differently with those
from the lower class. We are made to know that Miss Neville is the acquaintance
to Mr Hastings who happens to be a close friend to Mr Marlow. The fact also
emerges that Mrs Hardcastle is seriously trying to arrange a marriage between
her son, Tony and Miss Neville for a selfish reason while Miss Neville plays
along with her[B1] ….
SCENE
TWO: The Three Pigeons
All the characters in the alehouse have
no names except Tony who is presented as carousing with those below his class
as they treat him as such. Tony is called the Squire by the others in the ale
house probably because he writes poetry. Thereafter, he sings a song which
others applaud and drink at his expense. The landlord of the Alehouse
interrupts their conversation to inform them about two gentlemen who have lost
their ways. Tony identifies them as the visitors going to their house and
decides to take revenge on Mr Hardcastle for always calling him names. He
decides to describe Mr Hardcastle’s house to the visitors- Marlow and Hastings
– as an inn for them to rest for the night so that they continue their journey
the next morning. And this sets the stage for the conflicts in the drama.
ACT
TWO
SCENE
ONE:
Mr Hardcastle is engaged in teaching his
servants on how to arrange tables and conduct themselves in preparation for the
visit of Marlow and Sir Charles Marlow. Eventually, Marlow and Hastings arrive
with the mind-set that they are going to an inn to rest for the night, while
the servants and Mr Hardcastle rightly assume that Marlow and Hastings are
visitors that they are expecting. This ironical twist is caused by Tony and
leads to the movement of the plot and the subsequent conflicts we find in the
play. Marlow and Hastings converses about the “inn’ and their attitudes to
women. Marlow expresses his worries, despite his exposure, at his inability to
talk with modest lady, thus courtship visit is a nightmare to him. He decides
to remain his timid self in Miss Hardcastle’s presence. Conflict begins when Mr
Hardcastle enters to welcome Marlow and Hastings. The duo who see Mr Hardcastle
as an inn keeper finds his friendliness / cordiality annoying and thus rudely
ignore him, an action which shocks Mr Hardcastle. Mr Hardcastle is further
shocked by what he sees as Marlow’s impudence in his house as Marlow gives
order and instructions to him. Mr Hardcastle and Marlow exits leaving Hastings
alone, he is surprised to see Miss Neville enter and is further surprised when
she reveals that he is in an inn but Mr Hardcastle’s house. They decided not to
reveal this to Marlow, as Hastings goes ahead and pretends when he informs
Marlow of the presence of Miss Hardcastle and Miss Neville. Hastings does the
introduction and leaves Marlow and Miss Hardcastle alone to converse before
Marlow exits while Miss Hardcastle wonders at his fears before she exits. Tony,
Miss[B2] Neville, Mrs
Hardcastle and Hastings. Mrs Hardcastle finds a good listener in Hastings whom
she expresses her affectations for city news and things with. While Tony and
Miss Neville engage in their arguments, Mrs Hardcastle informs Hastings that
Tony is to be married to Miss Neville before she and Neville exit, leaving Tony
and Hastings. Tony expresses his distaste for Miss Neville whom he would be
happy for Hastings to take off his hands.
ACT
THREE
Mr. Hardcastle expresses his anger at
Marlow’s behavior as he blames his friend sir Charles. Kate enters in her plain
clothes. As Mr. Hardcastle and his daughter discuss their impression of Marlow
which is totally different as a result of the different situation of contact
and encounter with Marlow. While Kate sees Marlow as timid, her surprised
father sees him as an uncouth, impudent and brazen young man. This contrary
view is to be resolved based on certain conditions and further discoveries
which both Mr. Hardcastle and Neville agree might lead to the rejection of
Marlow.
Tony
enters with the casket (jewelry box) containing Miss Neville’s jewelries which
he gives to Hastings. We see Tony, Mrs. Hardcastle and Miss Neville discussing
Miss Neville’s request for her jewelries from Mrs. Hardcastle who discovers who
discovers screams out that they were missing. Tony pretends he knows nothing
about the missing jewelry as he mocks his mother.
Miss
Hardcastle discusses with a maid, Tony’s mischievous action of telling Marlow
and Hastings that the house is an inn. The maid informs her of Marlow’s question
if Kate is the barmaid, thus she decides to pretend as a barmaid since he does
not recognize her face. Marlow enters and engages in conversation with Miss.
Hardcastle whom he sees as a barmaid, thus he looks at her face and attempts to
flirt with her which she resist before he leaves her. Mr. Hardcastle who
probably watched the interaction between Marlow and Kate enters and avers that
Marlow is still the impudent person he thinks he is but Kate attempts to
convince him to be patient for her to show him that Marlow is modest and
humble.
ACT
FOUR
Hastings and Miss Neville are discussing
the expected presence of Sir Charles Marlow and the need to leave before his
arrival. Hastings reveals he had given the casket of Miss Neville’s jewelry to
Marlow for safe keeping. They exit while Marlow and a servant enter. Marlow is
discussing with the servant about the casket which he had given to him to give
to Mrs. Hardcastle for her to keep. This is another ironical twist in the
story. The servant exit and Hastings enters to join Marlow. Marlow gleefully
narrates his encounter with the barmaid to Hastings who is shocked to hear that
the casket of jewelry is with Mrs. Hardcastle. He exits and Mr. Hardcastle
enters and engages in discussion with Marlow where he presents himself as an
innkeeper. Mr. Hardcastle can no longer hold his anger when Marlow informs him
that he is responsible for his servants to drink every wine in the cellar. Mr.
Hardcastle angrily asks him to leave his house. Marlow’s request for the bill
and Mr. Hardcastle’s reaction before he leaves reveals to Marlow that he is in
the house of his prospective father in law and not an inn. Mr. Hardcastle exit,
while Miss. Hardcastle (barmaid) enters and Marlow gets confirmation from her,
this confounds him as they discuss personally before they exit separately.
Tony
and Miss Neville enter discussing Tony;s help towards Miss Neville’s elopement
with Hastings. Mrs. Hardcastle enters and they pretend to court each other to
deceive Mrs. Hardcastle, as they talk, Diggory arrives with a letter from
Hastings for Tony, Miss Neville’s attempt to distract Mrs. Hardcastle from
seeing the letter fails as Mrs. Hardcastle reads Hastings’ letter (why would she want to read her son’s letter) asking Tony to provide horses
for his and Miss Neville’s journey. Mrs. Hardcastle exits in anger, Miss Neville’s
laments while Hastings enters closely followed by Marlow, who is angry at the
others for keeping him in ignorance of the fact that he has not been in an Inn.
Thus three of them insult Tony for been the source of their situations. Marlow
blames Hastings for keeping him in the dark as a servant comes to call Miss
Neville away, Hastings laments while Marlow accuses Tony of folly that has
resulted in distress and disappointment for others. Tony decides to save the
situation by helping Hastings.
ACT
FIVE
SCENE
ONE
Hastings is discussing with a servant
about Mrs. Hardcastle’s departure with Miss Neville. The servant informs him of
sir Charles Marlow’s arrival, thus he decides to leave and exits. Mr.
Hardcastle and Sir Charles Marlow are busy discussing Marlow’s actions and
mistakes which Mr. Hardcastle has forgiven him for and pressing the father for
Marlow to marry Kate soonest. Marlow joins them and expresses his apologies to
Mr. Hardcastle for his rude behavior. Mr. Hardcastle waves it aside insisting
the relationship between Marlow and his daughter be sealed immediately. Marlow expresses
surprise at such insinuation that he has something with Kate, and strongly
insists that nothing is going on between them. A situation that shocks Mr.
Hardcastle who had seen both together but one of the ironic scenarios in the
play because Marlow thought he was conversing with a barmaid which Mr.
Hardcastle does not know about also. Marlow exits and Miss. Hardcastle enters
and Mr. Hardcastle asks her directly if Marlow has professed love to her at any
time. She replies in the affirmative. Sir Charles asks more questions to confirm
the truth of her statement, he doubts it and Miss Hardcastle decides to prove
to them by asking them to hide behind a screen and listen into their
conversation with Marlow in thirty minute’s time.
SCENE
TWO
Hastings is complaining while waiting
for Tony and wonders if Tony will show up. Tony arrives and reveals how he had
taken Mrs. Hardcastle and Miss Neville on a merry go round and finally
returning them to the house unknown to them. Hastings and Tony separate to
occupy the women. Tony engages his mother and deceives her that they are in a notorious
area, on sighting Mr. Hardcastle, he asks Mrs. Hardcastle to hide in the
thicket, but Mr. Hardcastle’s insistence to investigate the noise from the
thicket leads to Mrs. Hardcastle;s emergence and her surprise at seeing her
husband. Mrs. Hardcastle discovers to her chagrin that every of her sufferings are
a result of Tony’s plans. Mrs. Hardcastle’s anger at Tony elicits an ironical
reply from Tony which Mr. Hardcastle comments on as moral. while they exit,
Hastings and Miss Neville discussing their elopement, she refuses to run away
but resorts see Mr. Hardcastle about resolving the issue of her inheritance
with Mrs. Hardcastle. Hastings agrees reluctantly to her position.
SCENE
THREE
Sir Charles and Miss Hardcastle are discussing,
Sir Charles expresses his worries about Kate’s statement about Marlow’s
attitude which is different from what he knows about him. Sir Charles leaves to
get Mr. Hardcastle while Marlow walks in to meet the ‘barmaid’- Miss
Hardcastle. Marlow expresses his sadness at leaving, while they are discussing,
Sir Charles and Mr. Hardcastle enter and hide behind a screen. Marlow’s
profession of love to Kate makes a surprised Sir Charles and Mr. Hardcastle to
come out of hiding as they accuse Marlow of deception. Marlow is shocked at the
accusation and further surprised to know that the ‘barmaid’ is Miss Hardcastle.
Mrs.Hardcastle enters, lamenting the departure of Hastings and Miss Neville.
Sir Charles praises Hastings which gets Mr. Hardcastle’s approval and Mrs. Hardcastle’s
joy that Miss Neville’s fortune is with her, an action which Mr. Hardcastle
disapproves of. While they are still talking, Hastings and Miss Neville enter
to officially inform Mr. Hardcastle of their decision to marry and for Neville
to get her fortune from Mrs. Hardcastle. Mr. Hardcastle reveals that Tony is
three months overdue in age to declare his interest in marrying Miss Neville,
which he gladly does by declining, thus allowing Hastings to marry her. Mr. Hardcastle joins Marlow and
Kate’s hands to signify their coming together as a couple brings the play to an
end.
EPILOGUE
This play has two epilogues. The first
focuses on Miss Hardcastle’s successful conquest acting as a barmaid as it
traces the genesis of a barmaid’s movement from being a barmaid to an old wife
of a Squire. The second epilogue which is spoken in the character of Tony
Lumpkin shows Tony’s expression of his desire to marry Bet Bouncer. Also, he
reveals the enjoyment he would engage in with his inheritance of one thousand
pounds.
SETTING
The actions in this play takes place
primarily in Mr. Hardcastle’s house and the surrounding environment. This
suggests that it is also a rural setting. This rural nature accounts for the
desire of Mrs. Hardcastle to go to the city- London- once in a while to brush
off the rustic nature of the countryside. Though, Tony brings about the major
conflicts in the play at Three Pigeons Alehouse, the entire actions take place
and give rise to conflicts which are all resolved eventually in the same house.
STYLE/DRAMATIC
TECHNIQUE
Language/
Diction
Language is major component on which
literature thrives and we see this in the play. Language is clearly deployed to
bring out the satiric humour of most of the characters. The characters’ use of
idiomatic expressions brings out the ironic situations in the play. For
example, when Marlow and Hastings get to ‘inn’ and are talking about changing
their dresses, Mr. Hardcastle tells them to feel free, Marlow replies to
Hastings “yet, George, if we open the campaign too fiercely at first, we may
want ammunition before it is over. I think to reserve the unbroidery to secure
a retreat (p15). Marlow’s statement merely cautions Hastings on been careful
about handling their mission in the environment so that they would not lack anything
(?) likewise, the discussion between Mr. & Mrs. Hardcastle in Act One scene
before the appearance of Miss Hardcastle on the scene reveals to us that
language is utilized to give readers insight into the lives of characters and their
actions.
Humour
and Wit
Humour is a major feature of comedy. And
in this play, the language of the characters evokes such humour and wit in the
process of satirizing individual and collective human foibles and follies.
Also, the extent to which humour is used could be allowed in any situation is
interrogated as Tony Lumpkin’s sense of humour definitely calls an appraisal of
what could be termed as humorous especially as it affects other people
negatively. Humour is used to couch criticism of unworthy actions and behavior,
at it also contributes to the development of the plot of the story.
Irony
This play develops its plot through a profusion
of ironical and humorous situations. The plot is primarily built on an ironic
foundation when Tony deliberately misinforms and directs Marlow and Hastings to
Mr.Hardcastle’s house as an inn. Also, the encounters between Marlow and the ‘barmaid
‘who is Miss Hardcaslte is a case of dramatic irony in the play. Likewise the
return of Miss Neville’s jewelry by Marlow to Mrs. Hardcastle whom Tony stole
it from reveals another clear case of Irony. The entire play thrives on
creating and unfolding ironic twists.
THEMES
Clash
of Civilisation and Culture
This theme reflects strongly in the
attitudes of Mr. Hardcastle as against that of Mrs. Hardcastle and Miss Kate
Hardcastle. While Mr. Hardcastle is
satisfied with rural and rustic country side civilization and culture which is
termed’old’,his wife and daughter do not see anything good in it, to them,
London as a city represents civilization which Is characterized by a culture of
dressing and other mannerisms considered to be vain by Mr. Hardcastle who comes
to an agreement with her on a dress code which eventually leads to Marlow’s
conception of her as a barmaid.
Upbringing
versus Juvenile Delinquency
Upbringing is the way in which a child
is cared for and taught how to behave while growing up. Juvenile delinquency
refers to bad, criminal or childish action or behavior by young people in their
teens. As a theme, the playwright examines the relationship that exists between
a child’s upbringing and his character. We see that the weak and indulgent
attitude of Mrs. Hardcastle towards Tony contributes to his development of some
negative character traits. The play further reveals that wrong upbringing would
definitely impact on the failing party when we see Mrs. Hardcastle suffer at
the hand of Tony in Act V. Without remorse, in an ironic twist, Tony replies
his mother ‘s statement thus:
“Ecod, mother, all the parish says you
have spoiled me, and so you may take the fruits on’t”
Success through Determination
This theme is primarily exemplified in
the life of Miss Hardcastle. Her decision to stoop in order to achieve a
marriage with Marlow is carried through by her determination. In a society
which expects the man to take all the responsibility for wooing his wife, Miss
Hardcastle, who knows what she wants even though her father had earlier
insinuated that Marlow may not want her, she goes ahead to maintain the “barmaid’
status and class in order to assist Marlow overcome his timidity which could
have been a hindrance to his life (marriage)
Marriage
and Class consciousness
The English society portrayed in the
play reflects the issue of class consciousness and its perpetrations through
marriage. Mr. Hardcastle is a middle class family and desires to get into the upper
class society of Sir Charles Marlow by giving his daughter to Sir Charles’ son.
Mrs. Hardcastle wants the wealth of her family to remain within the family thus
she wants Miss Neville to marry her son, Tony.
Love
Relationship
This could only be seen in Hasting and
Miss Neville’s relationship. The major idea that comes out about this theme is
the mature way the relationships are handled properly with their culmination in
marriage. Miss Neville refuses to elope with Mr. Hastings thus they eventually
get the consent and support of Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle. Marlow eventually
declares his love for Miss Hardcastle and their parents give their approval.
CHARACTERS
AND CHARACTERISATION
Tony
Lumpkins
He is the teenage son of Mrs. Hardcastle
and the late Squire Lumpkin. Tony is presented as an unserious and mischievous
boy. According to Mr. Hardcastle,” he is a mere composition of tricks and mischief”,
which is basically brought about by his mother’s overindulgence of Tony that
lead to the mistakes of the night. The major conflict in the play is built on
his action of misinforming Marlow and Hastings about their supposed host. Tony
also contributes towards the relationship of Miss Neville and Mr. Hastings as he
assists them to elope, though its failure gives him another opportunity to
openly refuse Miss Neville in order for her to marry Hastings.
Mrs.
Hardcastle
She is Tony’s mother. Mrs. Hardcastle is
seen as a weak mother who defaults in the proper upbringing of Tony. She is
also deceptive and manipulative. She expresses these traits as she tries all
means possible for Miss Neville to be her son’s wife primarily because she does
not want Miss Neville’s inheritance from her late father to go to another
family. Funnily, Tony does not support her position and thus thwarts every of
her efforts to match make him and Miss Neville. Mrs. Hardcastle nags her
husband a lot always comparing their lives with other neighbours. Her major
reason for nagging her husband is that she desires to pay occasional visits to
the city. She is never contented with herself. A selfish nature also makes her
to hide Tony’s age from him in a bid to continue to manipulate him as a child.
In the play, we see that Mrs. Hardcastle does not change her attitude despite
the fact that all her attempts to manipulate, coarse or nag in order to have
her way fail woefully. The final straw is Tony’s open rejection of Miss
Neville’s hand in marriage.
Mr.
Hardcastle
He is presented as a very tolerant man.
He never allows his wife to nag him into submission o her ideas though he
probably does not involve himself in the upbringing of Tony. Mr. Hardcastle
finds it difficult to understand the trend and changes going on in the society.
He prefers to stay in rural setting far from the follies and vanities of those
in the city. Mr. Hardcastle like his wife desires a good husband for his
daughter so he wants her to marry his friend’s son. He is a disciplined and
meticulous man, though he disagrees with the negative effects of fashion
especially as it affects his daughter’s dressing, he comes to an agreement with
her to put her ‘superfluous silk’ in the morning while he puts on her
housewife’s dress in evening.
Despite
his tolerant nature, Mr. Hardcastle eventually gets angry and orders Marlow out
of his house, an action that reveals to Marlow that they are not in an inn. Mr.
Hardcastle doubts Kate’s claim that Marlow is nice until she proves it to him.
Likewise Kate’s statement that Marlow has proposed love to her leads to reservation
from Mr. Hardcastle and Sir Marlow until they get proof which makes them to
support the marriage.
Mr.
Hardcastle is totally the opposite of his wife. He is selfless, compassionate,
and fair minded. Thus, he exposes his wife’s deception and resists her attempts
to force Miss Neville to marry Tony. Thus, at the end of the play, his desire
is achieved when Marlow and Kate come together as couple
Marlow
Junior
He is one of the major characters and
the son of Sir Charles Marlow. Marlow has a dual personality. In the words of
Miss Hardcastle, which aptly captures him, he acts as a “faltering gentleman,
and with looks on the ground, that speaks just to be heard, and hates
hypocrisy” whenever he is in the company of women of reputation” that is,
whenever Marlow is among women from his class or who are of his level
intellectually, he behaves sheepishly. On the other hand, Marlow acts as “the
loud confident creature whenever he is among females in the class of maids.
Marlow’s feign timidity is exposed at the end of the play by Miss Hardcastle’s
deliberate action to stoop to the level of a barmaid in order for her to
conquer him. Marlow apologises to Mr. Hardcastle for his actions when he
discovers that they were deceived that the house was an Inn. He is a dynamic
who changes for the better at the end of the play.
Miss
Kate Hardcastle
She is the heroine of the play. Kate is
representative of purveyor of modern fashion characterized by dressing modes
and styles that clearly irritates her father. Kate is presented as an
intelligent young lady is clearly a foil to Tony. She has a good relationship
with her father who she respects. Kate is flustered by the information that
Marlow junior would be visiting them as a prospective suitor. She takes it
calmly when the father informs her of the uncertainty of Marlow accepting her.
Eventually, from their first interaction, Kate develops interest in him and
goes ahead to make sure that she encourages him to express himself to her freely,
though it looks deceptive, the fact that Kate did not set out to ensnare him as
a barmaid reveals her gallant nature.
Marlow
falls in love with Kate as the barmaid and when he expresses his fears of his
inability to marry a barmaid because of others’ opinion, Kate decides to take
the bull by the horn, by deciding to maintain her status as a barmaid after she
has conquered, that is, Marlow has declared his love for her. By the end of the
play, Kate succeeds in teaching Marlow a little confidence which eventually
results in their marriage. Kate’s intelligence is tested when her father and
Sir Marlow doubted her report of Marlow’s behavior towards her but she handles
the situation cleverly by asking them to stay behind a curtain/screen to listen
to their conversation. She represents a resolute and determined person who
knows what she wants and would do all it takes to achieve it.
Miss
Constance Neville
She is Mrs. Hardcastle’s niece and
cousin to Tony. Miss Neville resists Mrs. Hardcastle’s attempts to foist Tony
on her, though Tony also shares her view that they are not made for each other.
Miss Neville is another determined character in the play who makes sure she
gets her heart desire. She is in love with Mr. Hastings, who she wants to elope
with because of her aunt’s insistence that she marries Tony. Mrs. Hardcastle
wants to hold on to Miss Neville’s inheritance. One of the major roles she
plays in the drama is to reveal the true identity of the house to Hastings. She
demonstrates her determination to marry
Hastings properly when she refuses to elope with him rather she decides
to go and let everything out to Mr. Hardcastle for him to influence his wife to
let her have her marriage and inheritance.
George
Hastings
He is Marlow junior’s close friend. Hastings is
a lady’s man who Marlow envies because he relates easily with the female folks.
He is an opposite of Marlow. Hastings encourages Marlow in his bid to woo Kate.
He is in love with Miss Neville which probably made him to accompany Marlow to the
Hardcastle’s house. Hastings knows when to protect his interest and this is why
he refuses to inform Marlow the true identity of their lodge when Miss Neville
informs him. Hastings determined to marry Miss Neville thus, he works strongly
to elope with her but she refuses, a situation he defers to as the conflict is
resolved amicably when he formally receives
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