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Unit 19: The School for Scandal: Detailed Analysis of the Text Act I to Act V

After Sir Oliver and Moses leave to check on Oliver’s two nephews, Maria arrives to speak with Notes
Sir Peter about her engagement to Charles. Of course, Sir Peter tries to convince Maria to turn her
attentions from Charles to Joseph, but Maria will not pay any heed to it.

19.3.2 Scene II

Mr Moses and Sir Oliver arrive at Charles Surface’s house, but Charles’s butler, Trip, forces them to
wait. Then, while the men are waiting, Trip asks Moses for a loan. Since Trip’s credit is no good,
Mr Moses refuses to give it to him without collateral, so Trip offers to provide Mr Moses with some
clothes from Charles’s own wardrobe.
When Sir Oliver and Mr Moses arrive, they find the butler very well dressed, but he asks Mr. Moses
for a loan. This shows that Charles is, indeed, quite a spendthrift, since he gives his own butler
plenty of money, yet the butler still wants more. This latter point shows that the butler is learning
bad habits from his master and Charles must be quite a disaster if even his butler is begging for a
loan and will give Mr. Moses stolen goods in order to secure it.

When Mr Moses and Sir Oliver arrive at Charles Surface’s house, Charles’s butler
Trip forces them to wait, elucidate.

19.3.3 Scene III

Charles Surface, Careless, and several other men are sitting at the table drinking as Mr. Moses and
Sir Oliver enter. Of course, everyone there is drunk and obnoxious and they sing bawdy songs
while they empty and refill their glasses. However, when Trip announces Sir Oliver (as Mr. Premium)
and Mr. Moses, everyone there sits down to listen to the two money-lenders.
Charles and his raucous guests drink heavily and sing merry songs, as they prepare for a night of
gambling. Charles raises a toast to Maria. Moses and “Premium” enter, and Sir Oliver is dismayed
at the scene. Charles doesn’t recognize his long-lost uncle. Charles frankly asks “Premium” for
credit, noting that Sir Oliver (whom he believes is in India) will soon leave him a fortune. “Premium”
discounts this possibility, noting that Sir Oliver may live many years, or disinherit his nephew. He
asks if Charles has any valuables of his own to sell for immediate cash. Charles admits that he has
sold the family silver and his late father’s library, and offers to sell the family portrait collection.

Though Charles is impudent, he is very honest and straightforward in his business
dealings. However, Sir Oliver wants to know first if Charles has anything he can
sell in order to raise capital on his own. Unfortunately, Charles has already sold
off almost all of the family heirlooms and all he has left are the family portraits.
Then, thinking about this, he offers to auction them to Sir Oliver. Of course, Sir
Oliver is shocked, but he also realizes that he has an opportunity to save the family.
Self Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. In scene I of Act I Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy young widow, and her hireling Snake discuss
her various
(a) scandal-spreading plots (b) issues of guardianship
(c) fidelity in various plots (d) affairs of Maria and Charles.

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