Critically examine the art of plot construction in The School For Scandal. [OR] “The principle theme of The School For Scandal finally combines two subplots into one.” Illustrate.
Ans. In fact, Sheridan’s primary concern in this play is to present a difference between appearance and reality. This is one of the fundamental components of a comedy. When we go through the play we find that appearance is quite different from reality. Joseph appears to be a man of moral sentiments. Sir Peter, is the man who always admires his lifestyle. According to him Joseph is a role-model for the youngsters of his time. But his younger brother Charles to be an immoral and insolent individual who doesn’t understand the importance of money. In Sir Peter’s opinion, he is an irresponsible young man who has dispelled whatever good qualities he did possess with the rest of his inheritance.
Maria is a bone of contention between these brothers. Both of them want to marry her. But Maria, who is a wealthy ward of Sir Peter, is in love with Charles and wants to marry him. But Sir Peter doesn’t like Charles’ attitude and prevents Maria from marrying him. He is in favour of Joseph because he has impressed him by his pseudo morality.
Joseph and Lady Sneerwell circulate false stories about Charles and try to malign his reputation. Actually, Lady Sneerwell is herself favour Charles. She spreads a false story about Charles that is in love Lady Teazle, wife of Sir Peter. But actually it is Joseph who is maintaining a secret love affair with her.
Sir Peter visits Joseph’s house, where he also comes in contact with Charles and detects his wife Lady behind the screen. Now, Sir Peter gets the real picture of Joseph’s character. In the meantime, Sir Oliver Surface, who is the uncle of Joseph and Charles comes back from East, after a long span of sixteen years and unfolds the character of both brothers. He also detects Joseph’s false appearance.
Rowley, who requested Sir Oliver for verifying his nephew’s character is the former steward of Sir Oliver’s dead brother and the father of Surface brothers (Joseph and Charles). Inspite of a number of attempts by Joseph and Lady Sneerwell finally he gets married with Maria. Snake, a professional liar ultimately a good sense prevails speaks the truth and exposes the conspiracy of Lady Sneerwell and Joseph Surface. Sir Peter and Lady Teazle also decides to spend a peaceful life and ultimately a good sense prevails in Lady Teazle’s mind. Simultaneously the play also presents the maliciousness and fraudulent activities of scandal mongers.
Apparently, the plot of this play is complex but its construction is excellent. Actually, the plot of this play is two-fold. The first segment relates to the scandalous people who work under the command of Lady Sneerwell. The other segment of the play concerns the two Surface brothers. Actually, what connects these two segments is the theme: “Never believe what is said”. The scandal mongers are fond of scandalous gossippings. They take utmost pleasure in defaming their acquaintances. These slanderers are so rude that they even don’t spare those persons with whom they dine. When we go through the scandalous gossippings we find so many stories of scandalous nature but as far as the plot construction is concerned, it is related to the scandalous story of Joseph and Lady which they have circulated against Charles. There are two other characters like Sir Benjamin and Mr. Crabtree who are experts in spreading scandalous stories. We learn through the play that both Joseph and Lady have their own interest in defaming Charles’ image.
Sir Peter forms an unfavourable opinion about Charles on the basis of these scandalous stories. We realise that Sir Peter is a man of poor judgement so he gets deceived by Joseph’s hypocrisy and assess him wrongly. Because of these scandalous activities which are spread by Sneerwell and Joseph, Maria stops herself meeting Charles although her love for Charles still remains in her heart. Only one man who is aware of all the truth is Rowley. He is the man who knows reality of the two brothers and that is why he requests Sir Oliver not to judge his nephew’s character on the basis of scandalous stories.
The main theme of appearance and reality reflects on the characters of surface brothers. Sir Oliver decides to judge the characters of his nephews himself. He goes to meet Charles in the disguise of Mr. Premium, a broker. Charles had not seen his uncle before and so he could not identify him and treats him as a broker. Charles sells all portraits of his ancestors to Sir Oliver except the portrait of his uncle who is Oliver Surface. Now Sir Oliver once again changes his appearance and goes to meet his elder nephew Joseph in the disguise of Stanley. Joseph also fails to recognise his uncle and treats him as the poor Stanley who has come to meet him for some monetary help. Joseph doesn’t provide help except some words of sympathy. Now, Sir Oliver gets a clear idea of both the nephews.
The last scene of the play combines two plots into one. The final scene (Act V) (scene III) starts with Lady Sneerwell and Joseph. Lady Sneerwell is very upset because of Joseph’s irresponsible behaviour. She scolds him for the foolish actions. But Joseph manages to pacify her anger and comes out with another plan to create troubles for Charles. He also suggests to take Mr. Snake into confidence regarding this matter.
We find a close contrast between appearance and reality when both surface brothers use physical force in order to throw Mr. Stanley out of the house. But when Sir Peter appears and discloses the reality of Mr. Stanley they come to know that Stanley was none other than their uncle. Now they start discussing about the love affairs between Charles and Maria. Joseph comes out with his own opinion and says Lady has a genuine claim in this regard. Now it is Sneerwell who appears on the scene according to the plan. She claimes Charles will marry her, but at the same moment Rowley brings Mr. Snake on the scene and exposes the conspiracy of Lady Sneerwell.
We see that both the plots come together in this final scene. Everybody now comes to know the hypocrisy of Joseph and humbleness and gentility of Charles. Sir Peter has now no doubt in his mind as far as Lady Teazle’s affair with Charles is concerned. Lady Teazle decides to leave Lady Sneerwell’s company and calls her as the principal of “The School for Scandal”.