Page 270 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

British Drama

Notes 21.5 Pitfalls of Idleness

An implied theme in the play is that idleness breeds mischief. Most of the characters live on inherited
money and property, allowing them to devote a good portion of their time to leisure activities.
Telling or listening to scandalous stories, as well as reading about them, is apparently one of their
favorite pastimes. Favored activities of the young include gambling and drinking.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Which of the following themes is not a characteristics of the play The School for Scandal?
(a) Admiration (b) Pitfalls of idleness
(c) Steadfast integrity (d) Hypocricy.
2. Pitfalls of idleness is
(a) a sentimental theme (b) an implied theme in the play
(c) wrongdoing in the play (d) misdeed in the play.
3. Amid all the wrongdoing in the play, it is easy to overlook
(a) Maria’s refusal of gossip (b) Maria’s repeated denounce of practice
(c) moral resolve of Maria (d) hypocrisy shown by Maria.
Fill in the blanks:
4. Joseph Surface pretends to be a paragon of honor and ...... .
5. An implied theme in the play is that idleness breeds ...... .
State whether the following statements are true or false:
6. Charles Surface has a reputation as a scoundrel.
7. Spreading scandal was commonplace in London’s high society of the 1770s.
8. Telling or listening to scandalous stories, as well as reading about them, was apparently one
of the favorite pastimes in of working class.

21.6 Summary
• 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.
• Charles Surface has a reputation as a scoundrel. But beneath his flawed veneer, he is a decent
fellow.
• Joseph Surface pretends to be a paragon of honor and rectitude while attempting to sabotage
his brother and marry into a fortune.
• 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.
• An implied theme in the play is that idleness breeds mischief.
• Most of the characters live on inherited money and property, allowing them to devote a good
portion of their time to leisure activities.
• Telling or listening to scandalous stories, as well as reading about them, is apparently one of
their favorite pastimes. Favored activities of the young include gambling and drinking.

264 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY