Plot Construction of “The School for Scandal”

Plot according to Aristotle is a set of events and situations artistically

rendered and diametrically arranged. Aristotle opines that plot should be a
complete whole and it must have organic unity in line with living organism which
does not admit of an addition, omission or transposition without affecting the
natural unity. In this regard Sheridan’s “The School for Scandal” is remarkable for
his extraordinary skill in craftsmanship. Here in this play, Sheridan has linked
together two plots with one theme with great dexterity.
Undoubtedly, the plot is a complex one but it is skillfully woven. Perhaps
one of the excellences of the play is the classical sense of form and structure
which Sheridan shows in the construction of his plot. The study of the play reveals
that characters do not fall accidently and abruptly into readymade situations but,
these run the plot in a rhythmic way and control it throughout. Both the two
strands in the plot side by side and do not violate the rules of an architectonic
structure, e.g. we see that one plot deals with Lady Sneerwell, Joseph and some
few other characters Scandal- Mongers. Whereas the other plot relates the
story of two rival brothers Joseph and Charles. Anyway, what connects these two
parallel strand is the theme i.e. “Never believe what is said”. In this play there
are at least three scenes in which the Scandal- Mongers are shown with their
scandalous nature as indulging in their usual malicious gossip, and it is against this
background of Scandal- Mongering that the main drama of the rivalry of the two
brothers for the hand of Maria is played out.
We note that it is only the scenes like screen scene which reveal the theme
of the play--- theme of appearance versus reality. It is only with the help of this
important scene that we come to know about the true nature of all the
characters. The screen scene is crucial forbringing about an exposure of Joseph
and Lady Teazle and for establishing Charles’ innocence in Sir Peter’s eyes. In this
scene a close link is established between Lady Teazle – Joseph affair and domestic
life of Sir Peter and Lady Teazle. Anyhow, their domestic life is third strand in the
play.
 It is only the last scene of the play, Act V Scene III that brings together the
plots and clarifies the theme, in this way several plots have been combined
through an irresistible gravity and talent. So, the importance of this scene is well
admitted. This scene begins with Lady Sneerwell talking to Joseph for having
spoiled the whole chain. Here, Joseph suggests another strategy to prove the
commitment of Charles’ statement that he would marry her. He asks her to
produce the forged letters. At this Lady Sneerwell at once agrees to this proposal,
for this was the only way of preventing Charles -- Maria’s marriage. She acts
according to the suggestion of Joseph but, just when she accuses of Charles of
having gone back of his promise to marry her, at that time Snake is summoned by
Rowley and Snake exposes the truth. Here, all the misunderstandings resolved
and the way is paved for the marriage of Charles and Maria. In the scene the two
strands of the plot meet and the theme of the play is clarified. Moreover, the true
identity of Sir Oliver is also revealed in this scene. Here in this scene Sir Oliver
reveals the true characters of his two nephews. Only by the description of the
difference between these two characters, we get the theme of the play. We come
to note that Joseph, who seems to be a model of decorum, is deprived of truth,
charity and gratitude. Whereas Charles, who seems to be somewhat reckless and
irresponsible in Sir Peter’s opinion, was turned out to be a sophisticated
youngman. Moreover we see that Sir Peter’s awareness of the truth about the
character Joseph, Lady Teazle, Lady Sneerwell and Snake etc. Snake also helps in
the resolution of the conflict and final denouement.
In short, we see that not only the contrast between the two brothers is
clearly and finally established is this scene, but the truth about the scandal-
mongers, slanderers and schemers is also revealed. Hence, it clarifies the theme
of appearance versus reality. This scene rehabilitates Charles in the estimation of
Maria whose mind has been prejudiced against him to a certain extent. Finally,
this scene shows the close interweaving of the two main strands in the plot of this
play.
In the end we observe that the third strand mentioned in the drama is also
resolved. This strand is about the domestic life of Sir Peter and Lady Teazle. Both
the characters possess a significant value. Without Lady Teazle, the screen
episode loses its meaning. Moreover, we see that she plays a vital role even in the
last scene by adding her own testimony to the discovery that Sir Oliver has made
about Joseph and to the exposure of Lady Sneerwell by Snake. Indeed this
married couple is indispensable to the plot construction of this play. It is only
through this couple that all the matters and disputes are resolved and thus the
weaving of the plot becomes architectonic.
In conclusion, we can say that though the story of the play is comical yet
its construction is classical. In this play, Sheridan shows almost a classical sense of
form. Despite of multiple plots, the play does not become incoherent or
confusing. Though the plot is certainly complex, but it shows a unified pattern.
Even the unities of time and place have loosely been observed which make the
plot really remarkable.