Illustration of Kate Hardcastle in high society attire on the left, and dressed as a barmaid on the right

She Stoops to Conquer

by Oliver Goldsmith

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Student Question

Why does Kate pose as a barmaid in Goldsmith's "She Stoops To Conquer"?

Quick answer:

Kate poses as a barmaid to overcome Marlow's shyness around high-class women. Initially dressed in plain clothing, Marlow sees her as a high-status woman and becomes overly formal. However, when Kate changes into regular clothing, Marlow mistakes her for a lower-class barmaid and flirts with her comfortably. By pretending to be a barmaid, Kate hopes to engage with Marlow more naturally and seductively.

Expert Answers

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Marlow is the man that Kate's father has chosen her to marry. In an effort to impress him, Kate's father enourages her to dress in plain, old-fashioned clothing for their first meeting. Marlow gets lost on his way to the house with Hastings and stops in a bar. Here they meet Tony, who gives them directions and tricks them into thinking that the Hardcastle residence is really an inn. Kate first meets Marlow in her old-fashioned clothing and finds him to be very shy and overly formal. When she changes back into her regular clothing, Marlow mistakes her for the barmaid. He flirts with her and calls her pretty. It turns out that Marlow is very shy around high-class women, but has no problem with women who are a lower-class. In an effort to seduce Marlow, Kate pretends to be the barmaid so he does not talk to her in a stiff, reserved manner as he did when she was in her more conservative dress.

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