Play Analysis School for Scandal PDF

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Julie Schaefer Play Analysis 2 Part 1 – The School for Scandal

Given Circumstances 1. Time: The School for Scandal is set in the 1770’s, and describes the actions of many different characters within at least twenty-four hours. The time ranges from early morning to evening. 2. Place: The story is set in London, and the action takes place in various places. Lady Sneerwell’s house is seen first, then Sir Peter and Lady Teazle’s house, and Charles’ late father’s house and Joseph’s apartment next. The play ends at Sir Peter’s. 3. Society: Charles and Joseph Surface are brothers, and Sir Oliver is their uncle coming home from the East Indies. Sir Peter and Lady Teazle are married. Crabtree is Backbites uncle. Lady Sneerwell is romantically inclined toward Charles, though he is in love with Maria, who is Sir Peter’s ward. Joseph also lusts after Marie, but it is purely for her money and societal influence. Sneerwell and Joseph come up with a plan to thwart Charles and Maria’s union, so that they can both get what they want. Sir Oliver comes home from the East Indies, visits his old friend Sir Peter, and decides to discover which of his nephews deserves his cash. Snake is Sneerwell’s right hand man, but he betrays her for a bribe from Sir Peter. Mrs. Candour is a gossip who only aids in the destruction of Charles and Maria’s union. Also, Joseph is secretly seducing Lady Teazle for her good looks and money. The main social group is the “school for scandals”, who run the town with their gossip. If a person doesn’t support their ways, they could be the next to be caught in an outrageous scandal. 4. Economics: Money has a great deal to do with the characters actions. Joseph only wants Maria (or Lady Teazle) because of her status in society. He also pretends to be a respectable gentleman so that he will be in his uncle’s good graces, and therefor acquire a lofty amount of money. Snake betrays Sneerwell’s trust for a little extra money from Sir Peter. Also, most of the gossips are of high class, and get away with their devious ways because of their position is London society. 5. Politics and Law: The gossips of the high-class are the overall rulers of what happened in this society. Even though Maria is well off, she refuses to partake in the gossip, and therefor has little say in the actions of the other characters, such as Lady Sneerwell or Lady Candour. If a person respects and “obeys” the desires of these gossips, then they are found in good favor, and are spared from any scandalous talk.

6. Learning and the Arts: The men in the play were most likely all educated in some way, and most of the Ladies may have had a tutor depending on their family’s financial status. Attendants like Snake were not educated, based on London at that time in history. Women had luncheons where they drank tea, which may be considered as an art, and practiced their stitching. Charles owns a good many portraits, for which he sells at a nice price. He treasures the portrait of his uncle, which is some clue as to how much art meant to people, especially art of their family. 7. Spirituality: Maria is firmest in her beliefs and strong in her moral code. Spirituality isn’t mentioned necessarily in the play, but Maria’s high moral guidance could be a sign of the belief in a higher power. 8. The World of the Play: Each character portrays the given circumstances in their own way, and this in turn creates the world of the play. Each characters given circumstances plays off of the others. Maria’s morals conflict with Lady Sneerwell’s, Snake is enticed by power and money regardless of who is offering it to him, Charles and Joseph are both mistaken as something they are not based on surface appearances. The world that these characters live in is an ugly and beautiful, complicated and simple mess. They create their own fates, and at the end of the play, everything works out for good. “Evil” is defeated, the good guys win, and the lovers live happily ever after.

Characters Lady Sneerwell 1. Objectives: Sneerwell wants to break Charles and Maria up so that she can have Charles instead. She also enjoys undermining others to further her own gains. 2. Conflicts: She sees herself as superior to others around her, and is considered the leader of the “school for scandals”. Joseph and Sneerwell have similar goals, and work together to achieve them. Her goals directly conflict with Maria, who’s morals clash with her own. 3. Will Power: Sneerwell uses others to get what she wants. She is always strong in her opinions and desires. 4. Values: Anything that does not go along with her plans is bad, she is conniving and knows how to get what she wants. Sneerwell’s values conflict with Maria’s, who is pure of heart and cares only for others. 5. Personality: Sneerwell is high class and high maintenance. She prowls around the room scheming lies. She is in her late 30’s or early 40’s. She enjoys extravagant parties and younger men. Her hair is greying, but still tries to keep a youthful appearance. Her teeth are a little crooked.

6. Complexity: Sneerwell knows how to use tactics, she demands, seduces, and feigns innocence. As long as she is in control, she is happy. She is the “Catherine Bingley” of the play. Joseph Surface 1. Objectives: Joseph main objective is to acquire money and power through Maria, Lady Sneerwell, Lady Teazle, or Sir Oliver. 2. Conflicts: Joseph’s brother Charles is in love with Maria, Sir Oliver sees through his charm, Maria thinks he is a cad. 3. Will Power: Joseph uses Lady Sneerwells position in society to help him further is own goals. He will seduce any lady with his good looks and wit to get money and power. 4. Values: Joseph thinks being high society and rich is the greatest thing that he can accomplish. He wants to be with Maria because she is the ward of a very rich man, and with lady Teazle because she is the wife of that same man. 5. Personality: Joseph is in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He is witty and seductive, and has a higher energy level when women are near. He always looks good, stands up straight, slicks his hair back, and has a Cheshire grin. He wears fitted suits and carries a silver pocket watch (which he likes to fiddle with when he’s nervous). 6. Complexity: Joseph is complex to other characters because he pretends to be something he is not. In reality is sly and rude, but he pretends to be an He is the bad boy of the play. Maria 1. Objectives: Maria’s morals keep her from getting caught up in the gossip, but she wants to find out if Charles is who everyone accuses him to be. 2. Conflicts: The “school for scandals” have been spreading rumors about Charles. Joseph is trying to seduce her. Sir Peter encourages her to be with Joseph. Which brother should she choose? 3. Will Power: Maria is easily succumbed to the whims of Sneerwell and Joseph. Sometimes she falters because she doesn’t know what to do, but she loves Charles regardless of the rumors. She doesn’t listen to her guardians wishes, and sees Charles anyhow. 4. Values: Maria refrains from gossiping because it is against her nature. She doesn’t support the “school for scandal”. She debates leaving Charles because of the rumors that he is affiliated with another woman. 5. Personality: Maria is in her early 20’s. She is quiet and demure, and likes long walks in the park. She is slight of frame and has small features. She can get

frustrated at times, but no one has seen her truly angry. Sometimes she is gullible. 6. Complexity: Maria shows how she is feeling, she doesn’t hold anything back. She knows what her standards are and she keeps them high for a purpose. She is the “virgin Mary” of the play.

Relationships: The main character relationship is Charles and Maria because they are considered the “lovers” of the play. Another main character relationship is Charles and Joseph Surface, brothers who are interested in the same woman, and Sir Peter’s actions revolve around them. Lady Sneerwell and Snake team up with Joseph in order to get what they want. Also, Lady Teazle must avoid Joseph’s affections to stay true to her husband....