What dramatic function is served by the Hastings-Neville subplot in "She Stoops to Conquer" ?
The use of sub- plots in
tragedies and comedies as well had become a foremost fashion since the
Elizabethan age. Ancient Greek dramatists were against the use of more than one
plot in a play which gave birth of the famous Aristotelian norm of the unity of
action. It was, infact the success of using an under plot as a contrast or
commentary of the main plot in the hands of Shakespeare in particular almost
made it a fashion for the Post- Shakespearean dramatist. In Oliver Goldsmith, “She Stoops to Conquer”, Marlow- Kate
love story constitutes the main plot, while the sub- plot is constituted of the
relationship of Neville and Hastings. The dramatist has inter-linked these
actions into one organic whole.
In “She Stoops to Conquer”, the
Hastings- Neville sub- plot carries forward the story, introduces complications
in an otherwise dull and flat main plot and finally helps to bring about the
story to a happy conclusion. In it, the role of Tony Lumpkin is very impotant.
He serves as the life and soul of the comedy, by interlinking the two stories.
It is under Tony’s misdirection to Mr. Hardcastle’s house to be an inn that
Marlow mistakes Mr. Hardcastle to be an inn-keeper and Miss Hardcastle a
barmaid. Thus complications arise, but Marlow’s unconsciousness of the blunder
leads to the dramatic irony which contributes largely to the humour of the
comedy. Miss Hardcastle falls in love with shy Marlow and resolves to win him
in the guise of a barmaid. Marlow is mad in love with the barmaid who is none
but Miss Hardcastle. He declares his love for her and begs her love on bended knees.
Miss Hardcastle has stooped to rise triumphantly in the end. This simple story
of mistakes is further complicated by the sub- plot.
