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

19.7 Keywords Notes

Spendthrift : A person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully.
Profligate : Utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute. Or
recklessly prodigal or extravagant.
Extravagance : Excessive or unnecessary expenditure or outlay of money or unrestrained or
fantastic excess, as of actions or opinions. For instance sports car is an inexcusable
extravagance.
Hypocrite : A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles,
etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions
belie stated beliefs. Or A person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved
attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or
her public statements.
Disinherit : To deprive (an heir or next of kin) of inheritance or right to inherit.
Faux pas : A slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder
or indiscretion.
Scandal monger : A person who spreads scandal or gossip.
Guardianship : The position and responsibilities of a guardian, especially toward a ward.
Flirting : A playful romantic or sexual overture by one person to another subtly indicating
an interest in a deeper relationship with the other person.
Alienate : To make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent especially where attachment formerly
existed.

19.8 Review Questions

1. Why is Lady Sneerwell involved in the affairs of Sir Peter Teazle, his ward Maria, and Charles
and Joseph Surface?
2. Illustrate and analyse the events of scene II of Act 1.
3. What proves that Lady Teazle was extravagant?
4. Why is Charles baffled in scene III of Act V?
5. Give a brief sketch of the following characters in School for Scandal:
(a) Lady Sneerwell (b) Sir Peter (c) Charles

Answers: Self Assessment

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (a)
6. Charles 7. absolute beast 8. extravagance 9. loan
10. Business dealings11. False 12. True 13. True 14. False
15. True 16. (a) 17. (b) 18. (c)
19. Premium 20. Hundred pounds 21. True 22. Maria
23. Lady Sneerwell 24. False 25. True 26. True 27. False
28. True

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