Contents

Write character sketch of Tony Lumpkin.

“Tony Lumpkin is the hero of the play.” Comment.

“There is a soul of goodness in Tony Lumpkin.” Discuss.

Hero of the Play-If there is a hero in the play, it must be Tony Lumpkin. It cannot be Marlow. For this, our reason are as follows-

First, Tony is the moving spirit of the play. He helps in the development of the play. Without him. the incidents of the play could not have taken place.

Second, Tony starts the mistakes about which we read in the play. He sends Marlow, and Hastings to Mr. Hardcastle’s house. But he calls this house an inn. As such, Marlow makes many mistakes. He treats Mr. Hardcastle as the inn-keeper. He thinks Miss Hardcastle to be the bar maid.

Third, Tony is the link between the two plots. One plot deals with Marlow and Miss Hardcastle. The other plot deals with Hastings and Neville. In the end, all the persons collect at one place. Then, Tony’s mischief becomes known to one and all.

Fourth, Tony helps in bringing Marlow and Miss Hardcastle together. He misdirects Marlow. Marlow goes to Mr. Hardcastle’s house. He thinks it to be an inn. He mistakes Miss Hardcastle to be the bar-maid. He is free with women of this class. So, he expresses his love to her.

Last, Tony helps to unite Hastings and Miss Neville. He steals her ornaments. But they are sent back to Mrs. Hardcastle. Tony comes to know from his father that he has become major. So, he declares that he will not marry. Neville. As a result, Neville and Hastings are united. Thus we can say that Tony Lumpkin is the most important character. As such, he is the hero of the play.

Man with soul of Goodness- At first, Tony may seem to be a fool. His mother has kept him out of school. She has taught him to believe that he is still a minor. But she has not been able to make him a dull-headed boy. He has intelligence and understanding. He has a zeal for life. He wants to enjoy himself.

He is blamed for misdirecting Marlow and Hastings. He does so only to have a revenge on Mr. Hardcastle. He thinks Tony to be a fool. Tone wants to prove that he is not a fool. In fact, Tony has no ill will against his father or anybody else. He has a soul of goodness in him. It is proved by the following things-

First, he is fond of fun and mischief. He is also fond of practical jokes. He is quite a nice fellow.

Second, had he been a bad man, he would have sided with his mother. In such a case, he would not have asked Hastings to run away with Neville.

Third, he helps Neville and Hastings in their plan. He gives them his best horses. He steals Neville’s ornaments. He gives them to Hastings.

Fourth, he is blamed for asking his mother to read the letter of Hastings. But actually, we cannot blame him. Miss Neville reads about cock-in the letter. Naturally, Tony becomes interested in them. So, he asks his mother to read the letter.

Fifth, Mrs. Hardcastle comes to know of Neville’s running away. So, she decides to take her to Pedigree’s house. For this Marlow, Hastings, and Neville blame him. But Tony does not give any excuse asks Hastings to meet him after two hours. He then, gives Hastings another chance to run away with Neville. This proves his goodness.

Last, we get the best example of Tony’s goodness in the last scene. He comes to know that he is not a maid. So, he declares that he will not marry Neville. She can marry the man, she wants. For this, everybody, except his mother, praises Tony.

Thus, we can say that there is a soul of goodness in Tony. His goodness cannot be found in an ordinary man.