WAEC Literature in English 2019 Theory — Question 21

Model answer

Points to note: Statement of the central theme; Character identification; The plan to elope; The attempt to elope; Tony's remedy. The play She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith is a comedy of manners that centres on the theme of love and marriage in the middle class society. The play features the love relationships between Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle, Young Marlow and Kate Hardcastle, Hastings and Constance Neville. It is a play on mistaken identities, practical jokes and plots-within-plots. Tony plays an important role in the play. Tony is the stepson of Mr. Hardcastle and the son of Mrs. Hardcastle. Tony's role in the elopement brings in the relevance of other characters. Hastings is the friend of Young Marlow and lover of Constance Neville. Constance is the niece of Mrs. Hardcastle. Except Hastings, Tony and Constance live with the Hardcastles. This implies that they have known each other for long and Tony is being cajoled into marrying Constance so as to keep the jewel in the Hardcastle's family. The visit of Young Marlow and Hastings to the Hardcastles establishes the love relationship between Constance and Hastings, although they claim to have known each other beforehand. Their love relationship continues to develop as Hastings stays with the Hardcastles. Hastings gets to know that Mrs. Hardcastle could be an obstacle to marrying Constance Neville and Tony could be of help. This brings in the plan to elope. In order to elope, several attempts are made. Constance Neville's jewels have been with Mrs. Hardcastle and they have to be retrieved. Tony now offers to help in stealing the jewels from the over materialistic and greedy Mrs. Hardcastle and hand it over to them (Neville and Hastings). Tony succeeds in stealing the jewels but Hastings messes up by giving the jewels to Young Marlow for safe keeping, knowing that Young Marlow is oblivious of the happenings in that house. Young Marlow innocently hands the jewels over to Mrs. Hardcastle for safe keeping. Tony's second attempt to help is circumvented by Hastings's letter to Tony, which cannot be read and is seized by Mrs. Hardcastle. The negative comments on the elopement infuriate her and she decides to send Constance to Aunt Pedigree. In an attempt to remedy the situation, Tony drives them round and round the house, pretending that they have journeyed 40 miles away. Their discovery by Mr. Hardcastle foils the elopement plan. The declaration of Tony's true age enables him to pursue his love for Betty Bouncer. Tony, therefore, cannot be blamed for the failure of the elopement plan.