School for Scandal Group

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hyousef
hyousef
Student
College - Freshman

Discuss how Sir Oliver discovers the moral quality of his two nephews in "School for Scandal."

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Posted by hyousef on Tuesday June 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM and tagged with characters, moral quality, nephews, school for scandal, sir oliver.

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  1. lit24
    lit24 Teacher
    Doctorate

    eNotes Editor

    Sir Oliver has been away in the East Indies for the past 16 years,consequently his two nephews Joseph and Charles will not be able to recognize him. As soon as Sir Oliver arrives in London he decides to test their character. In Act II sc 3 Sir Oliver clearly establishes the standard by which he intends to judge his nephews:"if Charles has done nothing false or mean, I shall compound for his extravagance."

    In order to do this, he has to play the role of 1. Mr.Premium a broker whom Charles has never  seen before  2. a poor relation Mr.Stanley whom both Joseph and Charles have not seen before.

      Sir Oliver arrives at Charles' house in the guise of Mr.Premium to test his character. Charles passes the test for the following reasons:

    1. Sir Oliver is happy that Charles inspite of his financial difficulties has bought the ancestral house from Joseph who had no qualms in selling it.

    2. He  is delighted that Charles who readily disposes of all the family paintings refuses to sell  his portrait.

    3.Sir Oliver is touched that Charles in spite of his financial difficulties has sent some of the money he raised by auctioning the family paintings to Mr. Stanley leading him to remark: "Well, well, I'll pay his debts, and his benevelonce too." Act IV Sc.2.

    In Act V 'Mr.Stanley' meets Joseph to test Joseph's character. Joseph refuses to help Sir Oliver who  is now convinced that Joseph is an ungrateful 'dissembler.'

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    Posted by lit24 on Thursday June 12, 2008 at 12:38 AM