“Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses women for their strengths.” (Lois Wyse)
She Stoops to Conquer is an 18th Century play by Oliver Goldsmith which tells the story of how a lady crosses class lines to conquer her love. The plot is unravelled when Charles Marlow, a man who is brought to marry noble woman Miss Kate Hardcastle by her father, has a minor foible whereby he is frozen stiff with fear when it comes to talking and socializing with upper-class women. However when it comes to maids and lower class ladies Marlow feels very comfortable and even lively. Miss Hardcastle decides to disguise herself to put him at ease.
In the farce Miss Hardcastle is an elegant, dignified and intelligent noble woman but her influence is largely limited to her domestic life. Woman have the right to refuse suitors, but apart from that they have little control over their lives in the relationship sphere, they can refuse a suitor their father brings them but they can’t go about selecting one for themselves. Charles Marlow, exemplifies the gentlemen of that error, he is reserved and modest, but we learn that these are not the true colours of his character. He is a lively fellow more willing to engage in frivolous activities with women of lesser …show more content…
What makes this farce feminist and captivating is the reversal of gender roles in pursuit of a partner. Traditionally a female is expected to deny or accept a spouse from an arranged marriage. In this instance Miss Hardcastle goes above and beyond and takes responsibility for her own choice by pretending to be a lowly barmaid to court and conquer her suitor. Here Miss Hardcastle is a bastion for feminism because she sees a man and goes after him, she is willing to do what she has to, including stooping to get what she
She Stoops to Conquer is an 18th Century play by Oliver Goldsmith which tells the story of how a lady crosses class lines to conquer her love. The plot is unravelled when Charles Marlow, a man who is brought to marry noble woman Miss Kate Hardcastle by her father, has a minor foible whereby he is frozen stiff with fear when it comes to talking and socializing with upper-class women. However when it comes to maids and lower class ladies Marlow feels very comfortable and even lively. Miss Hardcastle decides to disguise herself to put him at ease.
In the farce Miss Hardcastle is an elegant, dignified and intelligent noble woman but her influence is largely limited to her domestic life. Woman have the right to refuse suitors, but apart from that they have little control over their lives in the relationship sphere, they can refuse a suitor their father brings them but they can’t go about selecting one for themselves. Charles Marlow, exemplifies the gentlemen of that error, he is reserved and modest, but we learn that these are not the true colours of his character. He is a lively fellow more willing to engage in frivolous activities with women of lesser …show more content…
What makes this farce feminist and captivating is the reversal of gender roles in pursuit of a partner. Traditionally a female is expected to deny or accept a spouse from an arranged marriage. In this instance Miss Hardcastle goes above and beyond and takes responsibility for her own choice by pretending to be a lowly barmaid to court and conquer her suitor. Here Miss Hardcastle is a bastion for feminism because she sees a man and goes after him, she is willing to do what she has to, including stooping to get what she