She Stoops to Conquer
by Oliver Goldsmith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Oliver GoldsmithEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-06
ISBN: 1604241551
Number of pages: 140
Publisher: Book Jungle
Book Reviews of She Stoops to Conquer
Book Review: One of the English Stage's Brightest Charmers
Summary: 4 Stars
Oliver Goldsmith (c. 1730-1774) was born to an English clergyman in Ireland and is often described as an "Anglo-Irish" author. Originally trained in theology, he later studied medicine and worked as an apothecary's assistant. Both then and now, critics regard the vast bulk of his writing as "hackwork"--poorly written material undertaken for the money offered. Even so, Goldsmith was indeed an exceptional and often innovative author when he put his mind to it, and his finest works rank with the best of his age. By most accounts Goldsmith wrote the comedy SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER in 1771; it was first performed in 1773 and has remained a favorite of the English stage ever since.
The play concerns the Hardcastle family, who are country gentry living living outside the common realm of English aristocracy of the day. Mr. Hardcastle dislikes "society" and frequently battles with his silly wife over his refusal to spend a season in London; Mrs. Hardcastle is in turn besotted Tony Lumpkin, her wayward son by a first marriage. Indeed, the only sensible member of the family is daughter Kate--and as the play begins she is told by her father that his choice for her husband, Charles Marlow, will arrive that very night. But things do not go as planned: due to a prank by Tony Lumpkin, Charles and his companion George arrive under the impression that Hardcastle's house is actually a roadside inn. Needless to say, complications abound, and Kate finds herself assuming the role of rural barmaid the better to study her intended and bring all complications to a happy resolution.
SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER is often considered a turning point in English theatre. Earlier comic authors tended to emphasize themes of hypocrisy for comic effect; Goldsmith certainly makes use of this, but instead of giving us cuckolds and strumpets he takes a more kindly point of view. His characters may sometimes be foolish and silly, but they are not so much vicious as playful and although the plot is farcical the situations are never unkind. The result is a charming confection of smiling entertainment. SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER has remained a favorite of the theatre for over two hundred years for a reason: it is as spritely, elegant, and amusing as it was when first produced. Recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Summary of She Stoops to Conquer
This edition of a familiar and ever-delightful classic of the stage is intended to satisfy two current demands in the teaching of secondary English. It will make available for school use the most successful and the most important, historically, of Goldsmith's plays. It will thus afford to pupils and teachers a wider field of choice, to suit their various and varying tastes. It will also provide material for the more reasoned study of its period and its type. All who read Macaulay's " Johnson", or the "Selections" from Boswell, or Burke's "Speech on Conciliation", or Thackeray's "English Humorists", as well as those who wish a text illustrative of Johnson's period in the history of English literature or English drama, will here find their needs suppliedLiterary Books
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