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Unit 21: The School for Scandal: All Major and Minor Themes

21.1 Defamation of Characters Notes

Underlying the comedy is a serious theme: condemnation of the odious practice of slander and, in
the case of the written letters, libel. Spreading scandal was commonplace in London’s high society
of the 1770s, when conversation—in drawing rooms, at balls, in spas, and across card tables—was a
form of entertainment.

Illustrate that spreading scandal was a common place in London’s high society of the
1770’s in context of the School for Scandal.

21.2 Deceptive Appearance

Charles Surface has a reputation as a scoundrel. But beneath his flawed veneer, he is a decent fellow.
Joseph Surface has a reputation as an upright man. But beneath his flawless veneer, he is a villain.
Hence, this theme: Before judging a person, look beneath his or her outward guise.

21.3 Hypocrisy

Joseph Surface pretends to be a paragon of honor and rectitude while attempting to sabotage his
brother and marry into a fortune. Mrs Candour and others of her ilk pretend to oppose gossip but
delight in spreading it.

When Maria tells her that it is “strangely impertinent” for people to busy
themselves with the affairs of others, Mrs Candour says, Very true, child: but what’s to be done?
People will talk—there’s no preventing it. Why, it was but yesterday I was told that Miss Gadabout
had eloped with Sir Filigree Flirt. But, Lord! there’s no minding what one hears; though, to be sure,
I had this from very good authority.

21.4 Steadfast Integrity

Amid all the wrongdoing in the play, it is easy to overlook the moral resolve of Maria—and to a
lesser extent, Charles. Maria refuses to gossip and repeatedly denounces the practice. For example,
in Act 1, when Lady Sneerwell asks her what Sir Benjamin Backbite has done to make her run from
him, she replies, “Oh, he has done nothing—but ’tis what he said: his conversation is a perpetual
libel on all his acquaintance.” Later, in the same act, she tells Mrs. Candour, “’Tis strangely
impertinent for people to busy themselves so [with gossip].” When Joseph Surface attempts to defend
his tongue-wagging friends—saying, “[T]hey appear more ill-natured than they are; they have no
malice at heart”—Maria replies, “Then is their conduct more contemptible; for, in my opinion, nothing
could excuse the intemperance of their tongues but an unnatural and uncontrollable bitterness of
mind.” Maria also steadfastly refuses to become involved with Joseph Surface even though her
legal guardian, St. Peter Teazle, pressures her to do so. For his part, Charles Surface—despite his
extravagance and devil-may-care lifestyle—refuses to compromise the basic goodness that
undergirds his character. In particular, he refuses to sell the portrait of Sir Oliver even though the
bidder, Sir Oliver in the guise of Mr. Premium, offers him a large sum of money. Moreover, even
though he has little money left to support his wastrel ways, he contributes a generous sum to the
destitute Mr. Stanley.

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