Contents

Write an appreciation of the play, “She Stoops to Conquer.”

What are the main reasons for the popularity of the play?

What, according to you, are the reasons which make you like the play?

“She Stoops to Conquer is a thoroughly pleasant play”. Discuss this view.

“She Stoops to Conquer is one of the mos popular cornedies of English literature.” Comment.

Introduction- “She Stoops to Conquer” is one of the most popular comedies of English literature. It was first produced in 1773. Since then, it has been continually acted. It has delighted the audience. It has made them laugh heartily. Its reasons are as follows-

Plot-Construction- The plot of the play is admirable. It is compact and well-knit. It has life, movement and variety. It follows the rules of dramatic construction. It has exposition, complication of situation, climax, and denouncement. It is based upon an actual incident in Goldsmith’s life.

Characterisation- The most important quality of the play is its characterisation. The characttrs are not mere types. They have their own peculiarities also. They are not puppets. They have some complexity. For examples, Mr. Hardcastle loves everything that is old. Mrs.Hardcastle is a compound of love of money and love for ker son. Marlow is the type of a shy young man. Hastings is a typical friend. Tony is a source of permanent delight.

Dialogues-The dialogues in the play are easy and natural. They help in the development of characters and situations. They also give us a good deal of entertainment. They do not let the play become dull even for one moment. They are the very soul of wit. In fact, they are packed with wit.

Humour- The play is full of broad and natural humour. There is a touch of farce in it. The firce arises from ridiculous situations and incidents. The humour in the play is three fold. It flows from characters, situations and incidents. The richest hurrour lies in characterisation.

Situations- The situations in the play are quite new and strange. They are well-imagined. They produce laughter.

Romantic Element- One of the characteristics of the Romantic Moment is a tendenoy to return to Nature. We find this tendency in the play. The scenes of the play are laid in the country, not in the town. All the characters except Marlow, Hastings, and Sir Charles belong to the country. Mr. Hardcastle criticises the ideals and fashions of the town.

Light and Broad Comedy-The play is a mixture of light and broad comedy. The first meeting of Marlow and Miss Hardcastle presents a light comedy. Their last meeting presents a broad comedy. Very few plays have such a skilful mixture of light and broad comedy.

Significance of the Play- The significance of the play lies in that it serves as a turning point in the history of English drama. It rings the death-bell of the sentimental comedy. It marks the revival of true comedy.

Style-Goldsmith’s style is easy, graceful, and agreeable. He has been called the greatest of all writers, on the lighter side in the eighteenth century. Its reasons is that the language of his style is extract without constraint, easy without weakness.

Conclusion-Such are the different aspects of the play. They give it a permanent place among the comedies of English literature. It is, in fact, a thoroughly pleasant play.