Lara 1

Cece Lara
British Drama English 452
J. Traver
11 November 2016
Scandal: Perhaps a Different Perspective

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have
destruction. (King James Version Proverb 13:3)

Richard Brinsley Sheridans The School For Scandal is a play about the many

scandals of the rich and famous. With nothing better to do with their day, a group of

scandal mongers runs through the town spreading lies and rumors of false information.

The works of Joseph Roach argue that gossip is to equivalent to that of money or

currency with in The School for Scandal. The also piece discusses wit and gossip and

its importance to scandal within the play. Others such as James Thompson argues that

the play is not a cohesive play, but rather than it is two separate plays with two different

plots, that were poorly combined together 1. Lastly, Jack D Durant argues that Sheridan

1 Footnotes:*Within reading the play there seems to be two different worlds happening. That
of the The Slanders and that of The Teazles (Roach 300). Thompson argues that
Sheridans play is merely, a poorly, or at least very loosely, constructed play, with two
separate plots clumsily grafted together (Thompson 89). In disagreeing with Thompson, the
play may seem as they are in two completely different worlds, however, it is the scandal that
cohesively brings them together. The one character that seems to be part of both worlds
naturally is that of Joseph Surface. It is Joseph that serves as the catalyst in helping Lady
Teazle rediscover her love for Sir Peter, no sir, she has recovered her senses, and your own
arts have furnished her with the means (Sheridan Act IV scene iii. 440). In this scene Joseph
attempts to cover his motives of bedding Lady Teazle to Sir Peter, a once good friend.
However, in the annoyance it is Lady Teazle catalyst by Joseph that is able to put her food
down confess her almost scandal to her husband, Sir Peter. Once coming clean, she and her
husband are able to continue, and enjoy their marriage. Because Josephs constant need to
lie, it is his lie, and ridiculousness that allows to Lady Teazle to return to her husband. Joseph
not only being the center of change for the Teazle family, but is also arguably the primary
slanderer along with Lady Sneerwell for his self-interest.
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intended to ultimately highlight the good within humanity. He goes on to argue that

scandal is convoluted and messy therefore, produces a scene like the very important

screen scene2, in which he shows that forward and directness ultimately prevail.

In highlighting the role of scandal and its criticism, Sheridan treats scandal as

though it is part of the latest fashion something that is to be laughed at. Sheridan

appeals to the upper-class society infatuated with money and social class, in his

comedic use of scandal, however, Sheridan then uses that exact comedy in his

criticizing that very audience he is appealing to. Scandal and its language is treated as

currency in which this society created by Sheridan values in order to have power over

one another. It is use as an exchange for goods and services to place one either higher

or lower within this particular society. Sheridan is then able to appeal to both the

audience of the time, while continuing to make bold criticism of the exact audience he is

appealing to.

There is so much mention of financial information, and its importance to the

society. For the scandal mongers that run the town, scandal and money go hand in

hand they essentially equate one another. Each time a character is introduced they are

introduced by their financial status. Roach provides a hypothesis of why Sheridan

choose to do this, because it clearly interests [the] people- both characters who people

2 The screen scene is said to be the climax of the play. It is point in the play where
secretly Lady Teazle goes to Joseph Surfaces home. There he tries to seduced her
but is interrupted by, Lady Teazles husband Sir Peter. Lady Teazle then hides behind
a curtain to avoid being caught by her husband. After talking with Joseph, Sir Peter
hears Charles is also now at Josephs home. Desperate to get everyone out Joseph
at first states he is not home. But after some convincing Sir Peter wishes to see if
Charles is really having an affair with his wife. Then Sir Peter also hides and Charles
and Joseph speak. It is leaked that Joseph is the one truly having the affair with Lady
Teazle, and the air is cleared between Sir Peter and Charles.
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the play and the spectators (Roach 304). However, I argue that the importance that is

placed on finances is a running theme within the play. If not actual physical money

finances the finances that surround gossip. Gossip is turned into a currency for the

characters within the play, they exchange and put value on those who are able to

exchange and receive the most gossip. Of course, spectators watching the play would

have enjoyed the theme as the play was very popular in the time. However, the

importance of finances and gossip also emphasizes the other underlying issues, and

criticism of the audiences watching. Within the relationship of Sir Peter and Lady Teazle,

the issues of marriage, age, scandal, and Lady Teazles transformation as a person are

then highlighted by money and gossip. This is then highlighted in a big fight between

Lady Teazle and Sir Peter. They enter into an argument surrounding money, Lady

Teazle: Do be good humored now and let me have two hundred pounds, will you? Sir

Peter: Two hundred pounds! What, ant I to be in a good humour without paying for it?

(Sheridan 422). What seems like a simple request for money turns out to be a fight that

comments on the ages of the both Lady Teazle and Sir Peter. The argument also

highlights their financial situation, as well as a supposed affair Lady Teazle is having

with a Mr. Charles. The argument is rooted from a conversation about money. Finances

are then not only a funny theme that is used in the play and enjoyed by spectators, but

finances and the circulation of money are also used as the catalyst in which propel all

other issues that seem to arise within Sir Peter and Lady Teazles marriage. Therefore,

Roach states it best when stating, if it isnt sex, money seems to be the root of all

gossip (Roach 304). The relationship between Lady Teazle and Sir Peter can also be
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seen as a social comment of money relations between husband and wife, and how that

can affect a marriage in both a negative as well as a positive way.

On the topic of finances, gossip seems to mirror the exchange of currency,

gossip equals money for this society. Much like money gossip and scandal too circulate

and exert its power over people. Roach proposes an idea that gossip is very liken to the

exchange of money. Roach states that, modern gossip, by contrast, retailing damaging

new information pertaining to just about anybody, strongly favors relations of negotiation

and exchange (Roach 297). As seen in the above quote it is the circulation that keeps

money and gossip on par with one another. Just as money is important to this society

gossip and its circulation too are just as important. We see so in Act I scene i., Lady

Sneerwell: Did you circulate the reports of Lady Brittles intrigue with Captain

Boastall?...Snake: I think it must reach Mrs. Clackit ears within four-and-twenty hours,

and then you know the business is as good as done (Sheridan Act I scene i. pg 404).

Right after the prologue this is the dialogue that occurs between Lady Sneerwell and

Snake, talking about gossip and its circulation to create scandal. It is literally the first

thing Lady Sneerwell refers to the second she is onstage. Showing that the circulation

of gossip is literally this most important thing within the play. Like money, gossip and

scandal also circulate.

The more you produce and exchange the more presages you become within the

society. It is when you become the source of gossip that you are downgraded to the

lower levels of the society. Gossip is then likened to that as a sources of actual value

within the society of scandal mongers. Roach in agreeance goes on to say, the value of

gossip, like that of money, also increases with its circulation, at least during the
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inflationary period before everyone who wants to hear it has heard it already (Roach

298). Within the play Sir Peters remark[s] to Mrs. Candor about the circulation of

gossip, which he compares to the note of credit (Roach 308). Within the play, Sir Peter

says to Mrs. Candor, Yes madam, I would have law-merchant for them too, and in all

cases of slander currency (Sheridan 416). Even the character within the play realize

the value of money as well as the value of scandal and gossip. Seeing as though this is

a play about the fashionable and the wealthy, money is therefore no object to them they

must place value else where. Their real source of power in economy come from that of

the gossip they are able to produce from scandal, exchange, and then argue about.

Sheridan is making great criticism through means of humor and hyperbole, about the

audience that is amused by the play. Arguing that they in fact have nothing better to do

with their time because money has become obsolete, that they go around gossiping

about one another to get ahead. However, not to say that money is not important,

because, it remain a close second to gossip. Gossip and scandal are so important they

almost seem to be characters themselves.

In arguing that gossip is in some ways a treated almost as a character, however

a character that relies on others to transport it. I would argue that it is the circulation of

scandal and gossip that has physically transformed Lady Teazle from a once country

bumpkin to that of a person that is consumed by the society she lives within. Roach

states, anticipating its touch can trigger or suppress behaviors, while feeling its grasp

can impose on diverse populations the conformist rigors of village life. (Roach 298). In

stating this Roach alludes to that of Lady Teazle, a person who was consumed by the

society. She was once a daughter of a plain country squire (Sheridan 412). It is said
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that Lady Teazle was before a very humble lady who came from humble beginnings

who then became married and is consumed by the society in which she is now a part of.

That society of scandal and exchanging gossip. It is this society that then essentially

spits her out into a completely different person. In my opinion she is who Sheridans

comments upon society are seen the most. Durant also makes comments on Lady

Teazle, Lady Teazle experience, however, it is also suggest[ing] that in regaining virtue

one needs chiefly to decline the disciplines of vice, in effect returning ones diploma to

the scandal college (Durant 52). In agreeance with Durant yes, Sheridan also makes

commentary that there is hope for those watching, and the audience he is commenting

on. They simply need to return their diplomas and live a simple life. However,

because this circulation is so important to this particular society those who reject the

value of the gossip circulation then become irrelevant.

One character that is not irrelevant it that of Joseph Surface whom for this

particular society is the root of all scandal. While Roach makes a compelling argument

he and I differ on who is the root of the scandal, Charles Surface is vital to the national

financial system as well as the gossip system (Roach 307). In reading the play it

appears that it is Joseph Surface, not Charles, seems to be the root of gossip. He is in

the middle of the most crucial screen scene within the play. This is better said in the

words of Durant, the cause of malice, emphasizing the close kinship between

complexity and vice (Durant 49). It is Joseph that is complex involvement with all those

in the play that allows for them to congregate at his home and beginning to eventually

out themselves that causes the realization moment that is had by both Sir Peter and

Lady Teazle. It is also Joseph Surface that is in competition to receive an inheritance

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however, messes that up being a lying Snake. I see where as Roach would think that it

would be Charles because he is the one that is gossiped about the most and in financial

distress. Although, more closely aligned with Durant, in stating Joseph is the most

complex character and because of his complex relations it is he who is the center of the

most of the scandal that occurs within the play.

In conversation with Thompson and Durant there seems to be many views on

what scandal and gossip in this play is, and where it comes from. Thompson believes

that gossip and scandal do not come from a, warmly moral reconciliations, but by the

wicked mean-spirited exchanges of the slanders precisely because they are so

inventive and unexpected (Thompson 92). Disagreeing with Thompson, the gossip is

not coming from a mean-spirited place, it is the vitality of this society. As argued

previous without the scandal and gossip that occurs there would not be scenes such as

the screen scene and the disguising of Sir Oliver. The value placed on gossip and

scandal are what propels this society. It ultimately answers what to get the person who

has all the money in the world. It also shows the power over the circulation distinguishes

the haves and the have nots. Durant argues that scandal is meant, to expose the wide-

ranging threat of vice even while affirming the ultimate good nature of mankind (Durant

53). In argumentation, I do not wholly take Durants explanation. In thinking about the

play yes it does show that truth and virtue wins however, I think in thinking about the

theme of scandal and the references to pop culture of the time it is more a criticism of

the people watching the play than, a good ultimately wins play.

Within gossip and money there steams a multitude of issues that Sheridan brings to

light in order to make commentary of the society that attends and enjoys his plays. The
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most important is the defining question whether a society has nothing better to do with

its time than to sit around and gossip about one another and if so it is truly that

important? Also, what happens when money become obsolete a society must then find

its new value and use that as its currency. The importance placed on money and gossip

goes one step further to the make commentary on those who do not belong, marriage

issues, and age. Ultimately, it seems as though money and gossip are the root of all evil

in which other issues are merely catalyst forward.

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Works Cited

Durant, Jack D. The Moral Focus of The School for Scandal. South Atlantic Bulletin,
vol. 37, no. 4, 1972, pp. 4453. www.jstor.org/stable/3197365.

Roach, J. "Gossip Girls: Lady Teazle, Nora Helmer, and Invisible-Hand Drama." Modern
Drama, vol. 53 no. 3, 2010, pp. 297-310. Project MUSE,
doi:10.1353/mdr.2010.0009.

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley. The School for Scandal. The Broadview Anthology of
Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Comedy. Ontario: Broadview, 2013. 402-54.
Print.

Thompson, J. "Sheridan, The School for Scandal, and Aggression." Comparative

Drama, vol. 42 no. 1, 2008, pp. 301-302. Project MUSE,
doi:10.1353/cdr.2008.0017.