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

for his benefactor; Charles will not sell it even when “Premium” offers as much for it as for all the Notes
rest. Moved, Sir Oliver inwardly forgives Charles. Sir Oliver and Moses leave, and Charles sends a
hundred pounds of the proceeds for the relief of “Mr. Stanley,” despite Rowley’s objection.
Charles, Careless, Mr Moses, and Sir Oliver enter the portrait room in Charles’s house and Charles
holds a sham auction to sell off the paintings that it holds. After listing off the names and
accomplishments of a few of his illustrious forebears and selling the paintings to Sir Oliver, Charles
finally decides to just sells off the rest of the lot for 300 pounds. However, when Sir Oliver points to
his own portrait and asks how much it will cost, Charles refuses to sell it. In fact, even when Sir
Oliver offers to purchase his own painting for over 400 pounds, Charles still refuses to sell it, since
Sir Oliver was very good to him. Of course, Sir Oliver is very pleased to hear that his nephew holds
him in such high regard, so he is finally convinced that Charles does have some worth after all.

19.4.2 Scene II

Sir Oliver, reflecting on Charles’s character with Moses, is met by Rowley, who has brought him the
hundred pounds sent to “Stanley.” Declaring “I’ll pay his debts, and his benevolence too,” Sir Oliver
plans to go meet his other nephew in the person of Stanley.
Mr Moses and Sir Oliver are in Charles’s parlor and Mr Moses points out that all the stories about
Charles are true. However, Sir Oliver is impressed that Charles refused to sell the portrait of Sir
Oliver, which Sir Oliver appreciates greatly. Then, when Rowley enters and reports that Charles
has dispatched him to give money to Stanley, Sir Oliver is even more impressed with his nephew,
since the 100 pounds could be used to placate the creditors who are waiting to speak with Charles.
Thus, Sir Oliver says that he will pay off Charles’s debts himself.
Though Sir Oliver has seen Charles at his worst, he has also seen that Charles is still noble beneath
the surface. Thus, Sir Oliver is shown to be a good judge of character, since he can look past Charles’s
roguishness and find the good in him.

19.4.3 Scene III

Joseph, anxiously awaiting a visit from Lady Teazle, is told by a servant that she has just left “her
chair at the milliner’s next door” and so has the servant draw a screen across the window (his
reason: “my opposite neighbour is a maiden lady of so curious a temper”). On her entrance, Joseph
forswears any interest in Maria, and flirts in earnest with Lady Teazle, perversely suggesting that
she should make a “faux pas” for the benefit of her reputation. The servant returns to announce Sir
Peter, and Lady Teazle hides in panic behind the screen. Sir Peter enters and tells Joseph that he
suspects an affair between Charles and Lady Teazle (due to the rumors spread by Joseph and Lady
Sneerwell). Joseph hypocritically professes confidence in Charles’ and Lady Teazle’s honor. Sir
Peter confides his intention to give his wife a generous separate maintenance during his life and the
bulk of his fortune on his demise. He also urges Joseph to pursue his suit with Maria (much to
Joseph’s annoyance, as Lady Teazle is listening behind the screen).
Charles’s arrival is announced. Sir Peter decides to hide, and have Joseph sound Charles out about
his relationship with Lady Teazle. He starts behind the screen, but sees the corner of Lady Teazle’s
petticoat there already. Joseph “confesses” that he is not as virtuous as he seems: “a little French
milliner, a silly rogue that plagues me” is hiding there to preserve her own reputation. Sir Peter
then hides in the closet.
Charles now enters and Joseph questions him about Lady Teazle. Charles disclaims any designs on
her, noting that Joseph and the lady seem to be intimate. To stop Charles, Joseph whispers to him
that Sir Peter is hiding in the closet, and Charles hauls him forth. Sir Peter tells Charles he now
regrets his suspicions about him. Charles passes off his comments about Joseph and Lady Teazle as
a joke.

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