WAEC Literature in English 2018 Theory — Question 15

Model answer

Tony Lumpkin is the son of Mrs. Hardcastle by her first husband (Mr. Lumpkin) and the stepson of Mr. Hardcastle. Tony Lumpkin is the half brother of Miss Kate Hardcastle and the cousin of Miss Neville Constance. His mother (Mrs Hardcastle) wants him to marry Neville whom he so much detests. Tony Lumpkin is over-pampered by his mother and he is always at variance with his stepfather and the entire household. He constitutes nuisance in the family through his unserious acts of tomfoolery. Tony is entitled to 1,500 pounds when he comes of age and this also contributes to his unserious acts which his stepfather partially tolerates. Mr. Hardcastle detests Tony's acts of impudence and practical jokes. He once makes mention of Tony's tricks as he converses with Mrs. Hardcastle: 'It was but yesterday he fastened my wig to the back of my chair...' Tony spends many hours at the ale house where he plays practical jokes and engages in drinking and betting. Tony takes an interest in horses, 'Bet Bouncer' and especially the hale house where he joyfully sings with members of the lower classes. The fact that he will be entitled to 1,500 pounds when he comes of age makes him indolent and more committed to the activities at the ale house. Tony Lumpkin plays a vital role in the development of the plot. Tony contributes to the development of the plot through his practical tricks and deceits. He successfully deceives Young Marlow and Hastings and through this deception, he advances the plot of the play. He deceives Young Marlow and Hastings with the misconception that Mr. Hardcastle's house is an inn (Buck's Head). Young Marlow in particular lives in this misconception. This misconception colours his relationship with Mr. Hardcastle, his prospective father-in-law, and Kate, his prospective wife as he assumes that Mr. Hardcastle is an inn keeper and Miss Kate Hardcastle is a maid. This misconception also betrays Mr. Hardcastle's initial perception of Young Marlow whom he has thought to be bashful. Having been told by Neville that they have come to Mr. Hardcastle's house, Hastings decides to keep Marlow in the dark. Marlow's ignorance of his true situation reveals his true nature as disrespectful or saucy if situation permits. This helps to reveal Marlow's true identity. Tony plays vital roles in the play. He helps in recovering Neville's jewels from Mrs. Hardcastle and when the jewels later get back to Mrs Hardcastle through Marlow's ignorance and when Mrs. Hardcastle gets to know about Hastings and Neville's plan to elope, he helps to foil Mrs. Hardcastle's plan of taking Neville to Aunt Pedigree. He not only plays practical jokes on her when he acknowledges the loss of the casket when he happens to have been the one that stole it. He also plays practical jokes on her by taking her through a fictitious journey. He also scares her with the false presence of Mr. Highway Man (who happens to be Mr. Hardcastle) and frustrates her emotionally. Although Tony is the genesis of the misconceptions in the play, he is also helpful in finding solutions to some misconceptions and conflicts. He helps Neville and Hastings to get married and openly renounces any attachment to Neville. He denies having loved Neville and this helps Neville to get married to Hastings. He contributes to the happy ending of the play.