Page 256 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

British Drama

Notes This unit illustrates the criticism of the text of the play and gives an analysis of the characters and
justified their significance by their names.

20.1 Criticism to the Text

The School for Scandal is generally considered as Sheridan’s masterful play. Ironically, the play excels
in its blend of sentimentalism with the attack on sentimentalism. Some regard it as a revolt against
the dominant sentimental comedy of Sheridan’s time. Historically, comedy of manners preceded
sentimental comedy. Sheridan’s success lies in his skillful combination of elements from both
traditions. As a dramatist, Sheridan has created virtually all that a comedy of intense qualities could
provide: amusing characters, funny intrigues, jaunty and ridiculous situations, witty dialogue,
incisive social satire, deft commentary on human foibles and penetrating insight of human
relationship. Sheridan’s characters follow their comic bents more consistently than abruptly. More
laughter and wit than surprising episodes are poured into the play. He never lets up until he has
wrung the last drop of laughter from every situation possible. These all add up to account for
Sheridan’s early success. The School for Scandal is a marvelous array of comic characters of a highly
civilized urbane society of which the playwright plays an active role. It stirs uproar and wins
admiration. It is so much a caricature of his own time and society in view of the interrelationship
between Sheridan’s comic art, literary mien, his time and social climate.

Critically evaluate The School for Scandal as a revolt against the dominant sentimental
comedy of Sheridan’s time.
Sheridan’s time was an age of conversation, fashion, costume, color and gossip. The School for Scandal
reflects faithfully the social temper—the tastes, customs, and morals of the modish society of its age
in which the rich lived in magnificent style and dressed in ermine, silks, satins, and brocades
exquisitely embroidered with gold or silver thread…the gentlemen vied with their ladies in the
fantastic display of ostentatious fashion…manners were rigid and morals were lax. The society was
elaborate and artificial. Small talk, scandalizing, drinking, and gambling were more important than
occupation with the world of trade, the church, or the arts.

Self Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. At the beginning of the play Lady Teazle targets
(a) Sir Peter Teazle, Joseph and Charles (b) Sir Peter Teazle and Maria
(c) Maria and Charles (d) Joseph and Charles.
2. The School for Scandal is generally considered as Sheridan’s
(a) sentimental play (b) masterful play
(c) Restoration comedy (d) Restoration sentimental play.
3. Sheridan’s success of School for Scandal lies in his
(a) depiction of sentimentalism (b) attack on sentimentalism
(c) skillful combination of comedy of manners and sentimental comedy
(d) depiction of revolt against the dominant sentimental comedy.

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