Summary of The School for Scandal
Richard Brinsley Sheridan's "The School for Scandal" is a celebrated five-act comedy of manners that satirizes the gossiping and hypocritical society of 18th-century London. The play masterfully contrasts genuine virtue with affected morality through its memorable characters and intricate plot, ultimately exposing the destructive power of slander and the triumph of sincere affection over deceit
The central conflict revolves around the wealthy Sir Peter Teazle and his much younger wife, Lady Teazle. Sir Peter constantly laments Lady Teazle's extravagant tastes and her absorption into the fashionable, scandal-mongering circle led by Lady Sneerwell. Despite their frequent quarrels, Sir Peter genuinely loves his wife, while Lady Teazle, initially enjoying the company of the "scandalous college," gradually begins to feel the emptiness and malice behind their seemingly witty conversations.
The plot is further complicated by the two nephews of Sir Oliver Surface: Charles and Joseph. Charles is known for his reckless spending, jovial nature, and perceived dissipation, but possesses a good heart and true generosity. Joseph, in contrast, maintains a facade of impeccable morality, sentimentality, and discretion, earning him the trust and admiration of Sir Peter and Sir Oliver. However, Joseph is secretly a manipulative hypocrite, deeply in debt, and attempting to win Maria's hand while also pursuing Lady Teazle.
Sir Oliver Surface arrives in London disguised as "Mr. Premium," a moneylender, and "Mr. Stanley," a poor relation, to test the true characters of his two nephews. Charles, despite being heavily in debt, refuses to sell his uncle's portrait, showing genuine affection and respect for his family. He readily sells off other family portraits to pay his creditors, demonstrating a careless but ultimately good nature. Joseph, on the other hand, refuses to help "Mr. Stanley" (Sir Oliver), revealing his true callous and self-serving nature
A pivotal scene unfolds at Joseph's house, where Lady Teazle, seeking advice, is nearly caught by Sir Peter. Lady Teazle hides behind a screen, only to overhear Joseph's cynical remarks about her and his manipulative intentions toward Maria. When Charles unexpectedly arrives, Joseph hides Lady Teazle, but the screen is knocked over, exposing her to both Sir Peter and Charles. This "screen scene" dramatically reveals Joseph's duplicity to Sir Peter and leads to Lady Teazle's profound regret and decision to reconcile with her husband.
The climax sees Lady Sneerwell's schemes unravel. She, along with her accomplice Snake, attempts to spread false rumors about Charles and Lady Teazle to prevent Maria from marrying Charles, as Lady Sneerwell desires Charles for herself. However, Snake, influenced by Rowley's offer of a better reward, exposes Lady Sneerwell's deceit, revealing the truth about her malicious intentions and the fabricated rumors
In the resolution, Sir Peter and Lady Teazle reconcile, with Lady Teazle vowing to abandon her scandalous circle. Sir Oliver, having witnessed Charles's inherent goodness and Joseph's hypocrisy, disinherits Joseph and approves of Charles's marriage to Maria. The play concludes with a clear moral triumph: genuine affection, honesty, and good nature prevail over the superficiality, malice, and deceit of the "school for scandal"
Objective Q and A from "The School for Scandal"
Who is the author of "The School for Scandal"?
(A) William Shakespeare
(B) George Farquhar
(C) Richard Brinsley Sheridan
(D) William Wycherley
Answer: (C)"The School for Scandal" is classified as a:
(A) Tragedy
(B) Comedy of Manners
(C) Farce
(D) Melodrama
Answer: (B)Who is Sir Peter Teazle married to?
(A) Maria
(B) Lady Sneerwell
(C) Lady Teazle
(D) Mrs. Candour
Answer: (C)Which character is known for his outward display of morality and sentimentality, but is secretly hypocritical?
(A) Charles Surface
(B) Sir Peter Teazle
(C) Sir Oliver Surface
(D) Joseph Surface
Answer: (D)Who are Sir Oliver Surface's two nephews?
(A) Sir Peter and Joseph
(B) Charles and Joseph
(C) Charles and Sir Peter
(D) Moses and Trip
Answer: (B)In what disguise does Sir Oliver Surface first appear to test his nephews?
(A) Mr. Stanley
(B) Mr. Premium
(C) Mr. Snake
(D) Mr. Rowley
Answer: (B)Which character refuses to sell his uncle's portrait, despite being in debt?
(A) Joseph Surface
(B) Sir Peter Teazle
(C) Charles Surface
(D) Trip
Answer: (C)What is the name of the scene where Lady Teazle is revealed hiding behind a screen?
(A) The Auction Scene
(B) The Reconciliation Scene
(C) The Screen Scene
(D) The Garden Scene
Answer: (C)Who is the main instigator of gossip and slander in the play?
(A) Mrs. Candour
(B) Lady Teazle
(C) Lady Sneerwell
(D) Maria
Answer: (C)Who is Maria ultimately in love with and marries?
(A) Joseph Surface
(B) Sir Benjamin Backbite
(C) Charles Surface
(D) Crabtree
Answer: (C)Who is Lady Sneerwell's accomplice in spreading false rumors?
(A) Rowley
(B) Moses
(C) Snake
(D) Trip
Answer: (C)What is the outcome for Joseph Surface at the end of the play?
(A) He marries Maria.
(B) He inherits Sir Oliver's fortune.
(C) He is disinherited.
(D) He reconciles with Sir Peter.
Answer: (C)Which character undergoes a significant change, realizing the errors of her ways and reconciling with her husband?
(A) Maria
(B) Lady Sneerwell
(C) Mrs. Candour
(D) Lady Teazle
Answer: (D)What literary device is heavily used in "The School for Scandal" to critique society?
(A) Allegory
(B) Satire
(C) Metaphor
(D) Alliteration
Answer: (B)Who acts as Sir Peter Teazle's loyal and wise old servant/advisor?
(A) Trip
(B) Moses
(C) Rowley
(D) Careless
Answer: (C)What profession is Moses associated with?
(A) Lawyer
(B) Moneylender
(C) Painter
(D) Journalist
Answer: (B)Which character attempts to win Maria's affection with sentimental speeches and a false reputation?
(A) Charles Surface
(B) Sir Benjamin Backbite
(C) Joseph Surface
(D) Crabtree
Answer: (C)What does Charles Surface do with the family portraits during the auction?
(A) He keeps them all.
(B) He sells them all, including his uncle's.
(C) He sells all except his uncle's portrait.
(D) He burns them.
Answer: (C)What is the primary theme explored through the "School for Scandal" gossiping circle?
(A) The importance of family loyalty
(B) The destructiveness of slander and hypocrisy
(C) The pursuit of true love
(D) The value of wealth
Answer: (B)What is Sir Peter Teazle's main complaint about Lady Teazle at the beginning of the play?
(A) Her lack of education
(B) Her devotion to charity
(C) Her extravagant spending and involvement in gossip
(D) Her quiet and reserved nature
Answer: (C)Who first exposes Lady Sneerwell's deceit at the end of the play?
(A) Sir Peter
(B) Charles Surface
(C) Snake
(D) Lady Teazle
Answer: (C)Where was Sheridan trained from 1762 till 1769?
(A) Dublin
(B) Bath
(C) Harrow School
(D) London
Answer: (C)Which character says, "Oh, I have done that a long time—a minute ago—=- and she has looked yes" regarding asking for consent?
(A) Sir Peter
(B) Charles
(C) Sir Oliver
(D) Joseph
Answer: (B)Who is considered the "president" of the "scandalous college"?
(A) Mrs. Candour
(B) Lady Teazle
(C) Lady Sneerwell
(D) Maria
Answer: (C)What is the ultimate fate of Sir Peter and Lady Teazle's marriage?
(A) They separate.
(B) They reconcile.
(C) Lady Teazle leaves with Joseph.
(D) Sir Peter dies.
Answer: (B)
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