SUBMITTED BY : Syed Basila Jehan

DEPARTMENT: B.A Honours 3rd Sem

Roll No : ENGH–17–33

SUBMITTED TO : Miss Tooba Rashid

Literary Devices in

She Stoops to Conquer

INTRODUCTION :

Oliver Goldsmith is a great Irish poet , novelist , playwright , and man

of letters. He was born in 1728 in Ballymahon, County Longford,

Kingdom of Ireland, or Elphin, County Roscommon, Kingdom of

Ireland. He belonged to the circle of Johnson , Burke and Reynolds –

“The Club”. The Traveller (1764) and The Vicar of Wakefield (1766)

earned him literary distinction and reputation. She Stoops to

Conquer (1773) is his dramatic prominent piece of work whose

complicated plot is based upon practical jokes , miscommunication

and mistaken identities.

Literary techniques or devices can be defined as any

element or entirety of elements that a writer uses in the structure of

his/her work to add meaning and depth to the subject. Literary

devices add texture,energy,new meanings and excitement to the

storyline.It helps to hold the attention of readers in order to look for

the deeper meaning presented in a simple manner by the writer.

EXAMPLES OF LITERARY DEVICES IN

She Stoops to Conquer :

1 . SETTING :

M.H Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham describes setting in their

book A Glossary of Literary Terms (1957) on pp. 362 as ,

“ The overall “setting” of a narrative or dramatic work

is the general locale, historical time, and social

circumstances in which its action occurs.. ”

The physical setting of She Stoops to Conquer (1773) is more of

a rural side. Most of the action of the play takes place in the “old

mansion” in English countryside and a brief episode occurs in a

nearby tavern “The Three Pigeons” The play was performed in

1773 thus the time of it is 18th century (Romantic era). Formal

education was not a prominent feature of society and main

medium of transport were carts and horses. Examples from the

text :

• “Scene I–A chamber in an old fashioned house” (Setting of Act I ,

scene I )

• “Mrs.Hardcastle: Here we live in an old rumbling mansion”(1,1)

• “Tony: I can’t stay, I tell you. The Three Pigeons expects me down

every moment.There’s some fun going forward.

Hardcastle: Ay;the alehouse, the old place:I thought so.”(1,1)

• “Marlow: . . . We were told it was but forty miles across the

country, and we come above threescore!”(i.e the distance of this

rural area is 60 miles from city) (1,2)

• “Servant:Your fan,muff,and gloves,madam.The horses are

waiting.”(Indicates the mode of transport) (4,1).

2 . SIMILE :

M.H Abrams and Geoffrey Galt Harpham describes simile in A Glossary

of Literary Terms (1957) on pp.133 as ,

“In a simile , a comparison between two distinctly

different things is explicitly indicated by the word

“like” or “as”.”

Goldsmith uses an explicit wide range of comparisons in his

dramatic masterpiece She Stoops to Conquer (1773). He

compares humans with animals ( ‘ rabbits ’ , ‘ hare ’ ) , inanimate

objects ( ‘ wheels’ , ‘ cushion’ ) , supernatural creatures like

“mermaid” and much more. Examples from the text :

• “ Hardcastle : When company comes, you are not to pop out and

stare , and then run in again, like frightened rabbits in a

warren.”(2,1)

• “ Tony : I have seen her since the height of that. She has as many

tricks as a hare in a thicket, or a colt the first day’s breaking.”(2,1)

• “ Tony : . . . she has two eyes as black as sloes , and cheeks as

broad as and red as a pulpit cushion.” (2,1)

• “ Tony : Vanish. She’s here, and has missed them already. Zounds!

How she fidgets and spits about like a catherine wheel.”

(catherine: wheel of fireworks) (3,1)

• “Marlow : Yes , as merry as cards , suppers , wine and old women

can make us.” (3,1)

• “Tony : I’m sure I always loved cousin Con’s hazel eyes, and her

pretty long fingers, that she twists this way and that, over the

haspicholls, like a parcel of bobbins.” (4,1)

• “Tony: Never fear me. Here she comes. Vanish. She’s got from the

pond, and draggled up to the waist like a mermaid.” (5,2)

• “ Tony : . . . Ah, it’s a highwayman , with pistols as long as my arm.

A damned ill looking fellow.” (5,2)

3 ALLUSION :

M.H Abrams and George Galt Harpham describes Allusion in A Glossary

of Literary Terms (1957) on pp.13 as ,

“ Allusion is a passing reference , without explicit

identification, to a literary or historical person, place , or

event, or to another literary work or passage.”

Prolific writer of “The Club” – Oliver Goldsmith has used several

allusions in his drama. He has made reference to some legendary

masterpiece like Hamlet of Shakespeare . He also has referred to Greek

mythology in order to satire the sentimental comedy and mentioned

certain guides for betterment of household ways and curing diseases.

Examples from the text :

• “The Comic Muse , long sick , is now a- dying!” (Prologue)

Explanation: “Comic Muse” refers to the Muse of comedy which is

“sick” due to the development of sentimental comedy . Muse of

comedy was known as “Thalia” –one of 9 goddesses who

influenced writers, musicians and various artists.

• “Marlow: We wanted no ghost to tell us that.” (1,2)

Explanation:This refers to Shakespear’s Hamlet (1599 ?) where

the ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him about his uncle being his

murderer– the truth.

• “SONG : . . . Their Lethes, their Styxes and Stygians . . .”(1,2)

Explanation : In Greek mythology “Lethes” “Styxes” and “Stygians”

are rivers flowing in the underworld – Hell. Reincarnated souls

drink from “Lethe” to forget all about past before they get a

rebirth whereas Styx is the river in Hell which the souls cross while

crossing Hades. Tony while satirizing the methodists and the

educationists of the age says that let them “brag” of these notions

of hell while they present themselves nothing but fools.

• “Tony : Not so low , neither. There’s Dick Muggins the exciseman,

Jack Slang the horse doctor, Little Aminadab that grinds the

music-box, and Tom Twist that spins the pewter platter.” (1,1)

Explanation: “Aminadab” is the name of a Hebrew prophet and is

used mostly for a person of colour or when referring to a Jew.

Here the “Little” means the person Tony is referring to is a child.

• “Mrs.Hardcastle: Lord, Mr. Hardcastle, you’re for ever at your

Dorothys and your old wifes. You may be Darby, but I’ll be no Joan,

I promise you. . .” (1,1) Explanation : This is a reference to a

popular ballad by Henry Woodfall (1739-1805). This ballad tells a

story about an old married couple – Darby and Joan.

• “Hardcastle: . . . Since that, I no more trouble my head about

Heyder Ally or Ally Cawn , than about Ally Croker. Sir, my service to

you.”(2,1) Explanation : Heyder Ally was the famous Sultan of

Mysore ( 1717- 82) where Ally Croker was a famous ballad

alternatively called “ Allicia Croker ” by Larry Grogan in 1725.

• “Hardcastle : . . . Your generalship puts me in mind of Prince

Eugene when he fought the Turks at the battle of Belgrade. You

shall hear”(2,1) Explanation : Prince Eugene of Savoy was a

general of the Imperial army and statesman of Roman Empire. In

1697 Thousands of Turkish soldiers were dead in a brutal war by

Prince Eugene.

• “Hastings : (To him) Cicero never spoke better. . .” (2,1)

Explanation: Cicero (106-43 BC) was a famous Roman statesman

and orator , popularly known for his mastery in Latin prose.

• “Tony : Ecod ! you had reason to weep, for you have been dosing

me ever since I was born. I have gone through every receipt in the

complete Housewife ten times over; and you have thoughts of

cursing me through Quincy next spring. But , ecod! I tell you, I’ll

not be made a fool no longer.”(2,1) Explanation : There are two

Allusions in Tony’s dialogue where he makes a reference of Eliza

Smith’s The Compleat Housrwife – a guide for housewives for a

perfect command on household and some medical cures. He also

refers to “Quincy” which is John Quincy’s Pharmacoepia

Officinalis et Extemporanea – book based on wide range on

diseases and how to take care or cure them at home. Though it

was prevalent at the time that these books were useless and had

no real solutions.

• “ Miss Hardcastle : . . . Don’t you think I look something like Cherry

in the Beaux’ Stratagem?” (3,1) Explanation : The Beaux

Stratagem (1707) is a comedy by George Farquhar . Cherry is an

important character in the play who is daughter of innkeeper and

falls in love with Archer and greatly contributes to comic spirit and

humour of play.

• “Hardcastle : There are a set of prints, too. What think you of the

Rake’s progress , for your own apartment ?” (4,1) Explanation:

Hardcastle here refers to William Hogarth’s (1697- 1764) series of

paintings eight in number , that depicted life of a character Tom

Rakewell whose life was eventually ruined due to his particular

chaotic way of life.

4 METAPHOR :

M.H Abrams and George Galt Harpham define Metaphor in A Glossary

of Literary Terms (1957) on pp 133 as ,

“ In a metaphor , a word or expression that in literal

usage denotes one kind of thing is applied to a distinctly

different kind of thing, without asserting a comparison.”

Goldsmith wrote She Stoops to Conquer not for merely laughter but it

is highly satirical and he uses most of his metaphors to comment on his

time of theatre and Drama . He incorporates metaphors which serve

the purpose of satire and commentary on contemporary age issues .

Examples from the text :

• “A doctor comes this night to show his skill.” (Prologue)

Explanation: “Doctor” here refers to Goldsmith who is on his

journey to cure the diseased world of comedy which is engulfed

by the sentiments and weeping emotions.

• “A kind of magic charm ― for be assur’d . . .” (Prologue)

Explanation : “Magic Charm” in the line means laughter which is

lost in “sentimental comedy” . Goldsmith being the doctor

prescribes a potion i.e “ magic charm” .

• “ He in five draughts prepar’d , presents a potion: . . .” (Prologue)

Explanation : Here “five draughts” means the 5 acts of the play –

She Stoops to Conquer .

• “ One hope remains – hearing the maid was ill, . . .” (Prologue)

Explanation : Here the “maid” is the theatre of the time dwelled in

sentimentalism , thus referred as ill .

• “Miss Neville: A fortune like mine , which chiefly consists in jewels ,

is no such mighty temptation. . .” ( 1,1) Explanation : “Jewels” is a

metaphor that is used several times in the play and is

representation of marriage market of the time and objectification

of women. In 18th century England old families with old wealth

would search for new families with new money . Thus Miss Neville

‘s inherited wealth from his father represents this market of the

time.

• “Marlow : . . . But ,to me, a modest woman , dressed out in all her

finery , is the most tremendous object of the whole creation.” (2,1)

Explanation : Objectification of women.

• “Marlow : Yet , George , if we open the campaign too fiercely at

first , we may want ammunition before it is over. . .” (2,1)

Explanation : “Ammunition” here is a metaphor for stock of fine

dresses.

• “Hastings: So then , like an experienced general , you attack them

on every quarter . . .” (2,1) Explanation : Goldsmith uses a blend of

simile and metaphor here. He uses a military metaphor – “attack”

here .

• “ Marlow : . . . just by the way of trial , of the nectar of your lips . .

.” (3,1) Explanation : “Nectar” refers to beauty and sweetness of

Miss. Hardcastle’s lips .

5 IRONY :

M.H Abrams and George Galt Harpham defines Irony and types of irony

in A Glossary of Literary Terms (1957) on pp 185 as,

“ In most modern critical uses of the term “irony” , there

remains the root sense of dissembling , or of hiding what

is actually the case– not ,however , in order to deceive ,

but to achieve special rhetorical or artistic effects.”

Verbal Irony : on pp 186,

“ Verbal irony . . . is a statement in which the meaning

that a speaker implies differs sharply from the meaning

that is ostensibly expressed.”

Examples from the text:

• “Hardcastle : . . . Ay , you have taught him finely!” (1,1) (Ironic

comment on his wife and her son’s upbringing)

• “Hardcastle : . . . O , there he goes. ―A very consumptive figure,

truly!”(1,1) ( Ironic comment on Tony and his bad habit of alcohol.)

Dramatic Irony : on pp 187

“Dramatic Irony involves a situation in a play or a narrative in

which the audience or reader shares with the author knowledge

of present or future circumstances of which a character is

ignorant . . .”

Examples from text:

• Tony’s practical joke on Marlow and Hasting about the “old

mansion” as an “inn”. Audience knew that this will result in a

chaotic and comic world but characters remain unaware of it.

• Marlow and Hasting’s behaviour towards Hardcastle as they take

him merely an innkeeper . Audience understand the jokes though

characters only get annoyed.

Situational Irony :

“ It involves a discrepancy between what is expected to

happen and what actually happens.”

Examples from text :

• The “letter” that Hasting writes for Tony accidently turns up in

hands of Mrs. Hardcastle and she ruins the plan of elopement of

Hasting and Miss. Neville.

• The “jewels” which Tony steals from her mother’s cupboard in

order to give it to Hasting end up being in her mother’s hand

again by the mistake of Marlow.

6 Satire :

M.H Abrams and George Galt Harpham describes Satire in A Glossary of

Literary Terms (1957) on pp. 352 as ,

“Satire can be described as the literary art of diminishing

or derogating a subject by making it ridiculous and

evoking toward it attitudes of amusement , contempt,

scorn or indignation.”

Goldsmith satirizes the contemporary comedy and English society of

the time. Right from the time of Prologue the weeping essence of the

comedy of that age is ridiculed by Goldsmith. Throughout the play ,

many more features of society have been criticised like marriage ,

romantic love, objectification of women etc. Examples from the text :

• “Hardcastle : . . . But is not the whole age in a combination to

drive sense and discretion out of doors? . . .”(1,1). This is a satire

on age where Goldsmith says that good sense and right thinking

are not what people of that time possessed.

• “SONG” in Act I scene 2 , The song criticizes the methodist

preachers and school masters which presented a contrasted faith

then that of Anglicans.

• “Marlow : Pardon me, madam. . . The folly of most people is

rather an object of mirth than uneasiness.” (2,1) Goldsmith

satirizes the sentimental comedy by saying that this play is meant

for light-hearted laughter on the shortcomings of humans and not

a serious environment is in need.

• “Miss Hardcastle : As most profest admirers do : said some civil

things of my face , talked much of his want of merit . . . “ (5,1)

Here is a satire on the romantic love or “undying love” that most

men claim of having that Miss Hardcastle is already aware of.

7 APTRONYMS :

Q L Hu in his thesis “A Study on Aptronym in Literature” defines

Aptronym as ,

“Aptronym is a figure of speech , which was defined by

David Crambs as “a name of befitting the occupation ,

role or nature of a person or character.It is widely used in

literary works for the sake of humour or sarcasm”. . .”

Goldsmith uses aptronyms for adding the effect of comedy and also

reveal the nature of certain characters. Examples from the text :

• “ Mrs. Hardcastle : . . . and little Cripplegate , the lame dancing-

master. . .”(1,1)

• “ Hardcastle : . . . when I went to make a bow , I popped my bald

head in Mrs. Frizzle’s face !” (1,1) “ Frizzle” ― To curl or crisp as

hair.

• “ Tony : . . . Well, Stingo, what’s the matter ? (1,2) “Stingo” is a

slang for strong beer.

• “ Hardcastle : You , Diggory , whom I have taken from the barn ,

are to make a show at the side-table; . . .” (2,1) “Diggory” taken

from word “digging” as Diggory has been taken from the field and

made a servant.

• “ Mrs. Hardcastle : . . . and have all the fashions as they come out,

in a letter from the two Miss Rickets of Crooked Lane . . .” (2,1)

Rickets is a disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C that results

in deformation hence “Crooked Lane” .

• “Miss Neville: . . . I shall certainly be locked up, or sent to my aunt

Pedigree’s which is ten times worse. . .” (4,1) “Pedigree” means

good breeding or ancestry which means that Miss Nevilles aunt

would be of high class.

• “Mrs. Hardcastle : . . . and we’ll put off the rest of his education ,

like Dr. Drowsy’s sermons, to a fitter opportunity.”(4,1) A teacher

whose sermons let people fall asleep.

8 THEME :

M.H Abrams and George Galt Harpham defines Theme in A Glossary of

Literary Terms (1957) on pp230 as ,

“ . . . the term is . . . usefully applied to a general concept

or doctrine , whether implicit or asserted , which an

imaginative work is designed to involve and make

persuasive to the reader.”

Some prominent themes of She Stoops to Conquer are as :

• Deception :

In the very first act , scene 2 , the theme of deception comes into

play when Tony misleads Marlow and Hasting to Hardcastle’s home

as inn. Second deception comes in face of Hasting in Act 2 when

after knowing the truth still keeps his friend in dark about the “old

mansion” . Miss Neville also deceives her aunt Miss Hardcastle by

continously assuring her of her love for Tony whereas she loves

Hastings. Kate also proliferates in act 3 the idea of deception while

carrying out another device of “Disguise” and pretends to be the

barmaid to win Marlow’s heart. Other lesser deceptions prevalent in

the play are Hardcastle’s not telling Tony about his age , Tony

Lumpkin disguising himself as cart driver and deceiving Mrs

Hardcastle on the ride and Sir Charles Marlow and Hardcastle

watching secretly the conversation of Kate and Marlow. Every small

deception helps in building the plot and leads to the bigger

deceptions.

• Authority and Class Distinction :

A distinction between the classes ,different statuses and who

holds the power is depicted from the very beginning of the

play.The title itself leaves audience with two questions on the

Social Strata as why does she have to “stoop” and “conquer”

something ? Kate says in Act 4 ,

“ . . . I stooped to conquer; . . .”

which ultimately puts the working class of society on a lower

platform. The Power seems to be the Man’s authority majorily in

the play , where Hardcastle decides for the family and Marlow

and Hasting rule their romantic world and Tony seems to wander

vigorously with only some outbursts from her mother. Miss

Hardcastle depicting the authoritative rule of the Male party says

in Act 1 , Scene 1 , “ I find such pleasure ,sir , in obeying your

commands . . .”

• Culture — City v.s Countryside :

“Goldsmith creates a clash of cultures between country and city. We laugh at the reactionary nature of Hardcastle but also at the empty superficiality of Marlow: neither way of life is presented as ideal. Goldsmith undercuts the surface sophistication of city types by contrasting them with Tony Lumpkin, a man often of blunt and unsophisticated common sense. This is evident from the very first scene, where Hardcastle presents himself as old in age and manner in contrast to the youth of his daughter and city ideals embraced by Mrs Hardcastle. ” (Source: www.revisionworld.com)

9 SOLILOQUY AND ASIDE :

M.H Abrams and George Galt Harpham defines Soliloquy and Aside in

A Glossary of Literary Terms (1957) on pp 368 and 369 ,

“Soliloquy is the act of talking to oneself , whether

silently or aloud. In drama it denotes the convention by

which a character , alone on the stage , utters his or her

thoughts aloud.”

• There are total 4 Soliloquies in the play with Act 3 , Act 4 and Act 5

having no Soliloquies .

• Act 1 has three Soliloquies spoken by Hardcastle , Miss Hardcastle

and Tony Lumpkin.

“HARDCASTLE. (solus.) Ay, there goes a pair that only spoil each

other. But is not the whole age in a combination to drive sense

and discretion out of doors? There's my pretty darling Kate! the

fashions of the times have almost infected her too. By living a

year or two in town, she is as fond of gauze and French frippery as

the best of them.” (1,1)

“MISS HARDCASTLE. (Sola). Lud, this news of papa's puts me all in

a flutter. Young, handsome: these he put last; but I put them

foremost. Sensible, good-natured; I like all that. But then reserved

and sheepish; that's much against him. Yet can't he be cured of

his timidity, by being taught to be proud of his wife? Yes, and

can't I--But I vow I'm disposing of the husband before I have

secured the lover.”(1,1)

“TONY. (solus). Father-in-law has been calling me whelp and

hound this half year. Now, if I pleased, I could be so revenged

upon the old grumbletonian. But then I'm afraid--afraid of what?

I shall soon be worth fifteen hundred a year, and let him frighten

me out of THAT if he can.”(1,2)

• Act 2 has one soliloquy spoken by Miss Hardcastle :

“MISS HARDCASTLE. (Alone.) Ha! ha! ha! Was there ever such a

sober, sentimental interview? I'm certain he scarce looked in my

face the whole time. Yet the fellow, but for his unaccountable

bashfulness, is pretty well too. He has good sense, but then so

buried in his fears, that it fatigues one more than ignorance. If I

could teach him a little confidence, it would be doing somebody

that I know of a piece of service. But who is that somebody?--

That, faith, is a question I can scarce answer.” (2,1)

“A related stage device is the aside , in which a character

expresses to the audience his or her thought or intention

in a short speech which , by convention , is inaudible to

the other characters on the stage.”

She Stoops to Conquer has total of 33 asides :

• Act 1 : No Aside.

• Act 2 : 16 Asides , For example :

“Hardcastle : (Aside) Their impudence confounds me.”

• Act 3 : 3 Asides , For example :

“ Marlow : (Aside) All’s well , she don’t laugh at me.”

• Act 4 : 10 Asides , For example :

“ Hardcastle: (Aside) I begin to loose my patience.”

• Act 5 : 4 Asides , For example :

“ Tony : Father-in-law , by all that’s unlucky , come to take one of

his night walks.”

References:

1. Abrams, M.H and Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms .

Cengage Learning India Pvt. Ltd , 1957 , pp 13 , 133 ,185-

187 ,230 , 352, 362 , 368, 369.

2. Goldsmith , Oliver . She Stoops to Conquer . Peacock

Books , 1773 .

3. Heinrich , Ludwig . Prince Eugene of Savoy Versus the

Turks at the Battle of Peterwardein. Warfare History amd

Military Heritage Magazine , 2016.

4. Lu , Q. A Study on Aptronym in Literature. 2009 ,

www.globalthesis.com. Accessed on 30 January 2019.

5. Ranger , Paul. She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith.

Macmillan Education Ltd. 1773.

6. She Stoops to Conquer Analysis Pages. www.owleyes.org

Accessed on 31 Jan 2019.

7. She Stoops to Conquer (O.Goldsmith).

www.revisionworld.com Accessed on 31 Jan 2019.

8. Timothy, Abidum. Summary and Analysis of She Stoops to

Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith. www.slideshare.net

Accessed on 1 Feb 2019.

9. www.wikipedia.com Accessed on 1 Feb 2019

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