She Stoops to Conquer as an Anti-Sentimental Comedy.
She Stoops to Conquer is a notable literary work by ___. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of She Stoops to Conquer.
Answer
Discuss “She Stoops to Conquer” as an anti-sentimental comedy.
Comedy means entertainment consisting of jokes. Anti-sentimental comes into existence in the reaction against the sentimental comedy. It is also known as the “comedy of manners.” The pioneer of Anti-sentimental comedy is Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774). “She Stoops to Conquer” is an anti-sentimental comedy. It is also famous for the title “The Mistake of Night,” first performed in London in 1773.
Amusing Intrigue and Situation: The first characteristic of anti-sentimental comedy is amusing intrigue and situation. This we can see in this play. The play consists of Tony’s intrigues. His tricks against Marlow and Hastings are the principal source of the situation of wit and humor. We found Tony’s intrigues give motion to drama. He introduces his house as an inn and Mr. Hardcastle as an innkeeper. Hastings says:
I see this fellow wants to give us his company, and forgets that he’s an innkeeper, before he has learned to be a gentleman.
These tricks contribute a lot to the comic impression of the play. Marlow mistakes his future father-in-law as an innkeeper and orders him.
Marriage for Love and Money: One of the essential characteristics is marriage for love and marriage for money. The drama’s plot is constructed based on marriage for love and money. Tony’s mother, Mrs. Hardcastle, wants Tony to be married to Constance because she has a jewelry box. But Constance loves Hastings, and Tony helps them get married. Mrs. Hardcastle’s intention of marriage is the token of marriage for money. Constance marries Hastings because of their love for each other. Marlow and Kate’s marriage also happens because of love.
Satirical Comedy and Irony: The second characteristic of Anti-sentimental comedy is satirical comedy. We can also find this in play. We find satire on class conflict in the play. Marlow is satirized since he is not comfortable with the polite class, but he is comfortable with the barmaid. He cannot talk to Kate when he meets her for marriage, but he canUnlock this study guide now