"The School for Scandal, Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1777) - the eighteenth century and money

Résumé du document

Sheridan introduces the theme of money as a major theme of the play; he portrays his characters as coming from a wealthy and refined background, and therefore for whom money is important, as it allows them to differentiate themselves from the rest of the population and to maintain a certain standard of appearance in the society. The playwright shows money as being the driving force behind almost all his personages actions and reactions. The audience can feel that he moved in this privileged social class, as his account of it is very precise; also, this may have had a telling effect on his contemporaries, since Sheridan was known to suffer many setbacks with money and to be in debt most of the time. Therefore, this play can be seen as a fair portrayal of how people considered money in the 18th century, as well as a reflection of Sheridan's personal experiences.

Extraits

[...] If money seemed to be the only motive on her side, Sir Peter is portrayed as loving his wife, as he states: doubt I love and “though I can't make her love However, his awareness of, and resignation concerning his wife's lack of feelings show that Lady Teazle's attitude was common at the time. This idea of money being the main reason for marrying is emphasized by Sheridan's revelation of Joseph Surface's motives behind his interest in Maria. Sheridan introduces Maria as a ward who will inherit a significant sum when she is old enough. [...]

[...] The second character that represents indulgence is Lady Teazle; Sheridan shows her as interested in money only as a way of keeping up appearances and being fashionable. The author presents her extravagance through her husband Sir Peter and their quarrels. Sir Peter's soliloquy in act scene when he declares plays her part in all the extravagant fopperies of the fashion and the shows Lady Teazle as an immature woman, fond of spending money unnecessary articles. This impression is heightened as Sheridan has him say ] sums on such unmeaning luxury”. [...]

[...] However, the gossip of the school for scandal about Charles reveals that this attitude was not usual, and makes him an outsider. On the other hand, if he spends a lot on drinks and gambling, he is also portrayed as generous with his money and desirous to help with the little money he has left; Sheridan shows this other aspect of his character when he has him help Stanley, one of his poor relatives ] take a hundred pounds of it immediately to old Stanley”. [...]

[...] [ ] nothing of the kind![ ] a few presents now and then”. Like for the marriage, Sheridan presents two sorts of attitude to inherited money; Joseph's, who is only interested in earning more money and Charles's, for whom this inheritance is even more important as it could allow him to sort out his debts, who for more than just his fortune, really appreciate his uncle for his kindness and generosity. Although money, for members of the upper class, was chiefly obtained from inheritance, with the character of Sir Oliver the audience can see that it was also acceptable to make money by working. [...]

[...] Therefore this play can be seen as a fair portrayal of how people considered money in the 18th century, as well as a reflection of his personal experiences. Through his characters, he presents the different effects that money has on people, contrasting those who save their income, with those extravagant personages that do not, as well as revealing that marriage was often a matter of money and finally, presenting different attitudes concerning inheritance and business. The main characters in the School for Scandal are depicted as belonging to an upper class; this means that they are wealthy and receiving money from their estates rather than by working. [...]