Page 264 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

British Drama

Notes Mrs Candour
Prolific gossip who says how wrong it is to spread rumors, then indulges in her favorite pastime—
spreading rumors. Mrs Candour is a good-natured and friendly gossip whose talkative nature makes
her dangerous, since she spreads slander more effectively than Backbite or Crabtree.

Sir Benjamin Backbite
Annoying young man who pursues Maria and engages in slanderous conversation. Backbite is a
suitor to Marie. He is a gossip who will slander anyone, even those he does not know. Lady Sneerwell
admires Backbite’s wit and poetry Backbite is an especially malicious character whose rude behavior
is encouraged in the company of his uncle, Lady Sneerwell, and Mrs Candour.

Rowley
Helpful servant and friend of Sir Peter Teazle and a former servant of the father of the Surface
brothers. He is an upright fellow who sees through Joseph’s hypocrisy. Aware of Snake’s nefarious
behavior, he pays him to reveal that the stories he has been spreading for Lady Sneerwell and
Joseph are lies.

Moses
Moneylender who assists Sir Oliver in his scheme to find out the truth about Charles and Joseph
Surface.

Mr Stanley
Dublin merchant who was ruined by business reversals. He is related to Charles and Joseph Surface,
to whom he wrote for financial assistance. Sir Oliver assumes Stanley’s identity when he is
investigating his nephews.

Self Assessment
Multiple Choice Questions:
16. Much of the success of Sheridan’s The School for Scandal lies in
(a) the rich humorous exposition of characters
(b) provoking laughter and entertainment
(c) poor delineation of characters
(d) comic representation of characters.
17. The School for Scandal opens with a scene in which
(a) Joseph Surface introduces plot against Charles Surface
(b) Lady Sneerwell introduces many of the complications through an idle, gossiping
conversation
(c) Lady Sneerwell targeting his neighbour
(d) Lady Sneerwell hatching a plot with her venomous wit.
18. In order to develop the difference between Charles and Joseph, Sheridan has made
(a) entry of Sir Oliver to uncover the real character of Charles
(b) made Sir Oliver uncover the real character of Joseph with the scandalous rumor

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